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SEQUENCES FROM THE SARUM 

MISSAL, 

WITH BNOLISa TEAMBL4TI0Ne. 
BY CHABLES BUCHANAN PEARSON, 



LONDON: 

BELL AND DALDY, YORK STREET, 

COVBNT GARDEN. 

1871. 



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SEQUENCES. 



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CHIS\nCK PRKSS : — WHITTIKGHAH AND WILKIKS, 
TOOKS COURT, CHA>'CERY LAKE. 



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PREFACE. 

HAT is a Sequence? is a question which 
has so often been put to me, that I am 
led to think the number of those who 
know the answer is limited, and that a 
few words of explanation may not be superfluous 
for general readers. 

A brief reference must be made to the internal 
arrangements of mediseval churches. In the early 
Basilicas, as St. Clemente and St. Pancrasius at 
Home, the Epistle and Gospel were said at two low 
pulpits, a little below the altar; these were in 
process of time set at the end of the quire, and, in 
common with the quire itself, raised to some height 
above the floor of the church ; lastly, they were 
still further raised, and united together by a gallery, 
thus completing the development of that peculiar 
feature of mediseval churches, the Bood loft. The 
reading of the Epistle being ended, the ** Gradual " 
and '* Alleluia" were chanted ; during which, to 



v^ 



ijC 



vi PREFACE. 

add dignity to the reading of the Gospel, which in 
all Churches, east and west, was distinguished by 
all available pomp, a procession was formed, con- 
aisting, according to Sarum use, of the deacon 
bearing the '' text," * preceded by a thurifer, candle* 
bearer, and cross-bearer, and the subdeacon carry- 
ing the book out of which the deacon was to read the 
GospeL The passage of the procession from the 
altar, and its ascension to the pulpit or rood-loft, 
occupied some minutes, and, to ayoid a break in the 
chanting between the Alleluia and the Gospel, the 
final "a" of the Alleluia was prolonged by a run or 
cadence, called a " Neuma," extending sometimes to 
nearly a hundred notes. This was both unmeaning 
in itself and difficult to retain in the memory, but it 
continued practically unaltered for some three hun- 
dred years, and was in fact the Sequence, Sequmtia, 
properly so called. 

It happened about a. d. 851 that the Abbey of 
Jumieges in Normandy, the fine ruins of which 
still remain, was sacked by a predatory band, and 
the monks were scattered abroad, carrying with 
them their service books, their most precious trea- 
sures. One of them found refage in the Abbey of 
S. Gall, (where Charlemagne founded a school of 
church music,) and brought with him an Anti- 
ph<marium of S. Gregory. The monks of S. Gall 

I The " text " was the book of the fonr Ctospels, beantifnlly 
bound, and used, not to be read from, bnt as a " Pax," for 
the faithful to kiss. 



PRBFACE. vii 

observed with curiosity that the " Neuma " of the 
Alleluia had words set to it, poor and in bad taste, 
but better and easier to remember than a series of 
notes on the syllable *' a," and they therefore wel- 
comed them as a great improvement. 

A young monk of S. GkiD, named Notker, was 
led to attempt the composition of a new and better 
series of words, suitable to the Feasts of the Church, 
whence sprang the Sequences usually called Not- 
kerian. Much has been learnedly and ingeniously 
written by Dr. Neale and others about their metre, 
upon which I will not enter ; suffice it to say, that 
the rules by which they consider them to be governed 
appear to me extremely vague, and to have been 
constantly infringed in practice, until the days of 
Adam de S. Victor, who lived about the middle of 
the 12th century, and reduced the sequence to a 
much more polished and rhythmical form. With- 
out subscribing to Dr. Neale's dictum that Adam de 
S. Victor is *' the greatest Latin poet, not only of me- 
diseval, but of all ages," we may certainly rank his 
sequences very high, both as compositions of great 
devotional beauty and as elegant Latin odes. 

In the earliest sequences the choir often seems 
intended to enact the part of the chorus in a Greek 
play ; as, for example, in those for Easter Day, and 
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday in Easter Week. 
They abound in mystical and allegorical interpre- 
tations of Scripture, which, however fanciful such 
symbolism may sound to some modem ears, may 



tiii PREFA CE, 

at least redeem the medueval church from the charge 
too often brought against it, of ignorance of the 
Bible, and neglect and discouragement of its careful 
study. I may instance the sequences for Easter 
Monday, Wednesday in Whitsim Week, and ** Holy 
Cross," all by Adam de S. Victor ; and those for 
Whitsun-Thursday and the ** Conmion of an Evan- 
gelist.'^ Many latinized Greek words occur in 
some of them, particularly in the sequence for 
" S. Michael and AD Angels," where we find such 
words as " neumatum," " categorizant," " uranica," 
" Sophia," " usia," " agahnata,^' " thymiamata 5 " 
also, in that for Whitsun-Thursday, a whole line of 
Greek words occurs ; this, coupled with the reten- 
tion of the Kyries, and UytoQ on Good Friday, points 
to a Greek origin for the Missal itself. In others 
we find simple metrical recitations of the history of 
our Blessed Lord ; as in those for Epiphany, the 
Sunday after Easter, Ascension Bay, and the ** Five 
Wounds of Christ.'' Others present that reyerent 
contemplation of the sacred mysteriesof Redemption 
which in all ages has animated the sweet Psalmists 
of the Church, as particularly the sequence for the 
" Name of Jesus." 

In the translations I have attempted, many of 
which have already appeared in the *' Sarum Missal 
in English," I have not thought it necessary to 
endeavour to reproduce the double rhyme of the 
original, which, however suitable to the genius of 
the Latin language, unavoidably fetters the choice 



P BE FACE, ix 

of words at the command of an English translator, 
reducing him either to acquiesce in a periphrasis or 
a weak word to serve the rhjme, or to sacrifice the 
latter in cvder to give vigour and truth to the trans- 
lation. It seemed to me best to accept the latter 
alternative. Most of the Notkerian sequences which 
I originally threw into blank verse I have now re- 
cast in metres similar to those in use for English 
hymns, in the hope that some may be found not 
unworthy of adoption hereafter. 

The Sequences in the Sarum Missal originally 
numbered eighty-six : of these I have omitted many 
as in themselves of inferior merit, and others as 
containing doctrines open to question, if not some- 
times decidedly at variance with those of the Church 
Catholic. This latter circumstance no doubt had 
its influence in determining their ultimate abolition 
from the Roman MissaL Hymns, as a general rule, 
furnish a species of safety-valve by which religious 
enthusiasts, whose zeal is greater than their theo- 
logy, give comparatively harmless vent to their doc- 
trinal extravagancies ; but what might be tacitly 
tolerated in breviary or occasional services would 
naturally be more closely scrutinized when designed 
for use in the Missal. Whether for that or any 
other reason, however, sequences have long been 
practically eliminated from the Roman use, with 
four exceptions,^ which are so well known and have 

I •« Lands Sion Salvatorem," " Victime Paschali," " Veni, 
Sancte Spiritus," and " Dies Irs." 



X PRBFACB. 

been so well and often translated that I have only 
given one of them, *' VictimtB Faschali/' and that 
chiefly because the last lines are altered from the 
Sarun Use by the Roman. I need hardly observe 
that even these four are now sung like ordinary 
hymns 5 as in the 17th century Bood-lofts them- 
selves seem either to have been pulled down or 
c(mverted into organ-lofts : at all events the Gk)spel 
is no longer said from them, 90 that Sequences eo 
nomine are a thing of the past I ought perhaps to 
add that I did not meet with Dr. Neale's transla- 
tions of several of these sequences until my own had 
ahready been published in the *' Sarum Missal in 
English '. '* the rest, as for as I know, are hitherto 
untranslated. 

I hope the selection here given may be regarded 
with some interest, as presenting a fait specimen 
of what may be called the aadent '* Lyra Eucha- 
ristica" of the illustrious Cathedral Church of 
Sarum. 

C. B. P. 

Knebu'orthf Advent^ 1870. 




INDEX. 




Pag« 

^D celebres, Bex c<elice . . . . . 118 

Alma Choms Domini .... 78 

.BenedictA sit beata Trinitas ... 82 

Coeleste organnm hodie sonnit ... 18 

Coenam com discipnlis 186 

Gonoinat orbis cnnctus alleluja 46 

Die nobis qnibns d terris nova 50 

Dolce Nomen Jesn Christi 102 

Ecee pnlchrd canomm resonet voce .... 130 

Eia recolamns landibns pits 22 

Epiphaniam Domino 26 

Fnlgens prsclara 30 

Hiernsalem et Sion fllis 86 

Jesns dnlcis Nasarenns 104 

Jnbilemns omnes una 10 

Lntabnndas exsnltet {Dedication of Church) 92 
Lntabandns exnltey[^. Bernard) .148 

Landes Cmcis attollamns 112 

Landes Deo devotas 80 

Landes Salyatori voce 56 

Laos deTot& mente 124 

Lnz jocnnda, lax insignis 72 

Mirabilis Dens in Sanctis 182 



xii INDEX. 

Paflre 

Missos Gabriel de colis 152 

Mittit ad yirginem 156 

Nato cannnt omnia 12 

Prone casta oondo cantica 44 

Qnam dilecta tabemacnla 90 

Qni regis sceptra forti deztrft 8 

Regnantem sempitema per sscla 6 

Bex omnipotens, die hodiernft 64 

Sains etema, indeflciens 8 

Salve, cmx sancta 100 

Sancti Spirit^s adsit nobis gratia 68 

Si vis ver^ gloriari 142 

Sonent Regi nato nova cantica 16 

Victims Paschali landes 54 

Zyma yetns ezpnrgetnr 36 





SEQUENCES. 



vi<Kri. 



n 



IB DOMINICA PRIMA ADVENTUS. 



i ALUS eterna, indeficiens mundi t 
', Lux setnpiterua, el redemptiu ve 



Condolens b 



Non linquens excelsa, adtsci 

Mox Tuft apoDlaneil g^ratiii 

Qiue fuerunt perdita, omnia salcas 

Ferens mundo gaudia. 

Til animas et corpora 

Noslra, Christe, expia : 

Ut possideaa lucida 

Nosmet habiucula, 

Ad>enlu priino justificft; 

In ucundoque nus libers 




FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 




HOU for ever our salvation, 
Thou the life of all creation, 
Thou our hope of restoration, 
Thou the never-failing Light ; 
Grieving for man's loss impending, 
By the tempter's wiles pretending, 
Camest down Thine aid extending, 

Leaving not the starry height. 
In our flesh Thy glory veiling, 
All on earth, in ruin failing, 
Thou didst save by might prevailing v 

Bringing joy to all our race. 
Grant, O Christ, Thine expiation, 
Unto us Thine own creation, 
Take us for an habitation 



4 SEQUENCES, 

Ut cum, fact& luce magnft, 
Judicabis omnia ; 
Compti stol& incorrupt^ 
Nosmet tua subsequamur mox vestigia quocumque 
visa. 

Amen. 




SEQUENCES. 5 

Cleansed for Thyself to grace. 
By Thy first humiliation 
Grant us, Lord, justification ; 
When again in exaltation 

Thou shalt come, O set us free : 
When in glory manifested 
Thou the secret heart hast tested, 
In unsullied robes invested 

May we closely follow Thee ! 

Sequences during the Sundays in Advent are peculiar to 
th&Gallican type of Missal, under which the Sarum use must 
be classed. They furnish specimens of those ending in A in 
each verse, — ^a rule, however, rarely without exception ; nor 
does it appear always possible to divide them into lines con- 
sisting of the same number of syllables. 




SEQUENCES, 




IN DOMINICA SECUNDA ADVENTUS. 

^EGNANTEM sempiterna per ssecla 
susceptura 
Concio devota concrepa ; 
Divino sono Factori reddendo debita. 
Cui jubilant agmina cselica ejus vultu exhilarata, 
Quern expectant omnia terrea ejus nutu examinanda : 
Districtum ad judicia, 
Clementem in potently.. 
Tua nos salva, Christe, dementi^, propter quos 

passus es dira ; 
Ad poli astra subleva nitida, Qui sorde tergis 
ssecula. 
Influat salus vera effiigans pericula : 
Omnia ut sint munda tribue paciBca : 
Ut hie Tuft salvi misericordid. 
Lseti regna post adeamus supera : 
Quo regnas saecula per infinita. 

Amen. 




SEQUENCES, 




SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 

ET the choir devoutly bring 
Welcome to th' eternal King, 
And with one consent renew 
The Creator's homage due. 
Him angelic legions praise, 
On His face enraptured gaze. 
On Him wait all earthly things 
Till His nod their trial brings. 
Awful He in judgments deep 
Yet in might doth mercy keep ; 
By Thine agony of woe 
Pity, Lord, and save us now. 
To the gleaming stars on high 
Raise the world in purity : 
Let Thy saving health appear 
Scattering perils far and near. 
Bid the universe be clean, 
Let us live in peace serene. 
Till unto those realms we soar 
Where Thou reignest evermore. 




8 SEQUENCES. 



IN DOMINICA TERTIA ADVENTUS. 



UI regis sceptra forti de:ttra, solus cuncta, 
Tu plebi tuse ostei\de inagnam excitando 
potentiam. 
Prsesta Illi dona salutaria, 
Quern prsedixerunfc prophetica yaticinia. 

A clar& poll regid, 
In nostra, Jesu, verii, Doinine, arva. 





SEQUENCES. 




THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 



HOU "Who doii^t each earthly throne 
Rule by- Thy right hand alone, 
Raise up Thy great power and shine, 

Show Thy flock Thy face divine. 

Saving gifts on Him bestow 

Whom the prophets did foreshow. 

From the palace of the sky 

Jesu, to our land draw nigh. 




lo SEQUENCES. 




IN DOMINICA QUARTA ADVENTUS. 

[UBILEMUS omnes una 
Deo nostro Qui creavit omnia. 
Per Quern cuncta condita sunt saecula, 
Cielum quod plurima luce coruscat, et diversa 

sidera ; 
Sol, mundi schema, noctium decus luna, cjeteraque 

splendentia : 
Mare, solum, altum, plana, ac profunda flumina: 
Aeris ampla spatia, quae discurrunt aves, venti 

atque pluvia ; 
Haec simul cuncta Tibi Deo soli Patri militant 
Nunc et in aevum sine fine per saeciila ; laus eorum 

Tua gloria ; 
Qui pro salute nostra Prolem unlearn 
Pati in terram misisti sine culpa ; sed ob no>tra 

delicta. 
Te, Trinitas, precamur et corpora nostra et corda 
Ilegas, et protegas ; et dones peccatorum veniam. 




SEQ UENCES. 1 1 




FOUETH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 

EFORE the all-creating Lord 
Let us rejoice with one accord, 
Who made the worlds, the beaming sky. 
The stars that glitter variously ; 
The sun, creation's central light. 
The moon which softly decks the night. 
All other orbs that gleam around, 
Sea, land, hills, plains, and deeps profound ; 
The air, where fly the feather'd tribes. 
The winds go forth, the tempest rides 5 
All, now and ever, Thee alone. 
Ceaselessly praising. Father own ; 
Who to this lower earth hast sent 
Thine only Son, all innocent. 
Bringing salvation from on high. 
For our transgressions here to die. 
To Thee, blest Trinity, we pray, 
Guide all our goings in Thy way. 
Control our wills, our hearts revive. 
To our offences pardon give. 



^ 




12 SEQUENCES. 




IN NOCTE NATIVITATIS DOMINI. 

AD MISSAM IN GALLICANTU. 

ATO canunt omnia 
Domino pi^ agmina, 
Syllabatim pneumata 

Perstringendo organica : 

Hsec dies sacrata, 

In qud, liova sunt gaudia 

Mundo plen^ edita. 

H&c nocte prsecels^ 

Intonuit et gloria 

In Toce angelic^. 

Fulsenint et immania 

Nocte medi& 

Pastoribus lumina, 

Dum fovent sua pecora 

Subito diva 

Percipiunt monita. 

Natus alm^ Virgine 

Qui extat ante ssecula ; 

Est immensa in cselo 

Gloria, pax et in terr&. 



SEQUENCES, 13 




CHRISTMAS DAY. 

AT MIDNIGHT.' 

•LL hosts, above, beneath, 
Sing the Incarnate Lord, 
With instruments and pious breath 

Attune each measured word. 
This is the hallow*d morn 

When on our fallen race 
In full effulgence rose the dawn 

Of new-born joy and grace. 
Glory to God on high, 

On this renowned night 
Was thundered forth in harmony 

By angel legions bright. 
Amazing splendours shone, — 

A strange unwonted sight, — 
Upon the shepherds biding lone 

Under the veil of night. 
Sudden, while peacefully 

They watched their sheep-folds still, 

* Probably early in the 11th Century. 



14 SEQUENCES. 

Sic ergo caeli caterva 
Altissimd jubilat, 
Et tanto tremore tremat 
Alta poll machina. 
Sonet et per omnia 
H^c in die gloria 
Voce clar^ reddita. 
Humana concrepent cuncta 
Deum natum in terra. 
Confracta sunt imperia 
Hostis crudelissima ; 
Pax in terris reddita. 
Nunc Isetentur omnia, 
Nati per exordia ; 
Solus Qui tuetur omnia, 
Solus Qui condidit omnia, 
Ipse su§, pietate solvat 
Omnia peccata nostra. 




SEQUENCES. 15 

Good tidings wafted from on high 

Their ears attentive fill. 
Who was before all time 

Is born of purest Maid ; 
Glory to God in heights sublime, 

Peace comes the world to aid. 
E'en thus the choir on high 

Sings praises jubilant, 
From pole to pole their voices fly. 

Heaven echoes to their chant. 
Let all with thrilling voice 

Give back the glorious lay, 
Let the wide universe rejoice, 

That God is born this day. 
Burst are the iron chains 

Which held the world in thrall ; 
The cruel foe no longer reigns. 

Peace is restored to all. 
For lo ! an order new 

Doth the glad world adorn ; 
Let all things render praises due 

Unto the Virgin-Born. 
He all upholds alone, 

He all alone did frame ; 
May He Who hath such pity shown 

Blot out our sin and shame. 



-^^^ 



i6 SEQUENCES, 




AD MISSAM IN AURORA. 

^ONENT Regi nato nova cantica 
Cujus Pater fecit omnia ; Mater est Tirg« 
sacratissima. 
Generans Hie nescit foemlnam ; ilia est sine viro 
gravida. 
Yerbnm corde Patris genitum ante ssecula 
Alvus matris gessit corporatum per tempora. 
O mira genitura ! O stupenda nativitatis ! 
O Proles gloriosa ! Humanata Divinitas ! 
Sic Te nasciturum, Fili Dei, vates docti Tuo Spiritu 

dixerant : 
Sic, Te oriente, laudes Tibi cantant, pacem terris 
Angell nnnciant ; 
Elementa vultus exhilarant, 
Omnes sancti gaudentes jubilant, 
Salve, clamantes, nosque salva, 
Deitas in Personis Trina, 
Simplex Usi&. 




SEQUENCES. 17 




AT DAY-BREAK.' 

INTO the KiDg new-bom new praises sing, 
Whose Father by EQs word did frame the 
worlds, 

Whose mother a most hallow'd Virgin is ; 
Begotten of the Father, God of God, 
Bom of His mother without carnal stain, 
Word of the Father ere the world was made, 
In the full time forth from His mother's womb 
He issues in a human body yeil'd. 
O wonderful, mysterious generation ! 
O most astonishing Nativity ! 
O glorious Child ! O Deity incarnate ! 
So had the prophets, by Thy Spirit moved, 
Declared Thou shouldst be born. Thou Son of God! 
So, at Thy dawning, angels sing 'J'hee praises, 
And to the earth glad tidings bring of peace. 
The face of all the elements is gladden'd, 
And all the saints cxultingly rejoice, 
Crying, All hail ! save us, we pray, O God, 
In Persons Trine, one undivided Substance. 

> Probably of the 10th Centiuy. 



i8 SEQUENCES. 




AD TERTIAM MISSAM. 

;(ELESTE orgaDum hodie sonuit in terr^; 
Ad partum virginis superum cecinit 
caterva. 
Quid facis humana turba, cur non gaudes cum 

superb ? 
Vigilat pastorum cura, vox auditur angelica, 
Cantabant inclyta carmina, plena pace et gloria. 
Ad Christum referunt propria, nobis canunt ex 

gratia. 
Nee cunctorum sunt hsec dona, sed mens quorum 

erit bona — 
Non sunt absolute data, sed decenter sunt prolata. 
AfFectus deserant vitia, et sic nobis pax est ilia, 

quia bonis est promissa ; 
Junguntur superis terrea, ob quod quidem lans est 

juncta, sed decenter est divisa. 
Gaude, homo, cum perpendis talia ; 
Gaude, caro, facta Verbi socia. 
Nunciant Ejus ortum sidera lucis per indicia. 



SEQUENCES. ,9 




AT THE TfflRD MASS. 

HIS day celestial melody 
Kesounded o'er the earth, 
What time the Virgin bare a Son, 

Seraphs proclaimed His birth. 
What aileth thee, thou world below ? 

Haste thee with them to sing ; 
In pastoral charge the shepherds watch, 

Hark ! angel voices ring, 
Chanting their strains of holy joy. 

With glory fraught and peace. 
To Christ they render homage due, 

To us they sing of grace. 
Not unto all such gifts are given, 

But to the good of heart, 
Not irrespectively bestow'd. 

But measured by desert. 
Affections must be wean'd from sin. 
So shall we gain that peace within 

Reserved for pure in heart 5 



20 



SEQUENCES, 



Ineunt duces gregum lumina Bethlehem usque 

praevia. 
Invenitur Rex cselorum inter animalia. 
Arcto jacet in praesepe Rex Qui cingit omnia. 
Stella maris, Quem tu paris, colit Hunc Ecclesia, 
Jpsi nostra per te pia placeant servitia. 

Resonent cuncta redempta. 




SEQUENCES, 21 

Lo ! earth is join'd with things divine, 
In this respect their lays combine, 

But fitly fall apart. 
O man, rejoice, and ponder this accord ; 
O flesh, rejoice, associate with the Word. 
His rising by the stars is told 

With indicating light ; 
Lo ! star-lit chiefs to Bethlehem 

Follow that planet bright. 
The King of Heaven is cradled found 

Amid the beasts He made, 
In a rude manger's narrow bed 

The Lord of all is laid. 
Star of the sea ! Thy Blessed Son 

The Holy Church adores. 
That He our service will accept 

Devoutly she implores. 
Let each redeemed thing the Hedeemer's praises 

sing. 




22 SEQUENCES. 




IN DIE CIRCUMCISIONIS DOMINI. 

lA recolamus laudibus piis digna 

Hujus diei gaudia. 
In qu& nobis lux oritur gratissima, 

Noctis interit nebula, 
Pereunt nostri criminis umbracula. 
Hodii sseculo maris Stella est enixa 

NoTse salutis gaudia, 
Quern tremunt barathra, 
Mors cruenta pavet ipsa, 
A Quo peribit mortua : 
Gemit capta pestis antiqua, 
Coluber lividus perdit spolia, 
Homo lapsus, ovis abducta, 
Bevocatur in setema gaudia. 
Gaudent in hik; die agmina 
Angelorum cselestia, 
Quia erat drachma decima 
Ferdita, et est inrenta. 
O Proles nimium beata, 
Qu& redempta est natura ; 
Deus, Qui creavit omnia, 

Nascitur ex foeminft. 



SEQUENCES. 23 




[ON THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. 

(notkeb.) 

;ET us devoutly pay 

With joy and praises meet, 
Our reverence to this holy day. 

Which dawns with radiance sweet. 
Darkness hath pass'd away, 

The mist of night retires, 
The Day Star of the sea to-day 

With health the world inspires. 
He of her womb is born 

Before Whom hell doth shake. 
And conscious of his empire shorn 

Grim death himself doth quake. 
Despoil'd the serpent mourns, 

Who wrought the world's annoy 5 
Fall'n man, the erring sheep, returns, 

Restored to endless joy. 
With songs the angelic host 

Make all the heaven resound, 
That the tenth piece, which once was lost, 

This day is safely found. 



24 SEQUENCES. 

Mirabilis natura, mirificd induta, 
Assumens quod non erat manens quod erat. 
Induitur nature DiWnitas human^, 
Quis audi V it talia, die, rogo, facta ? 
Quffirere venerat pastor pius quod perierat, 
Induit galeam, certat ut miles armature. 

Prostratus in sua propria 

Huit hostis spicula ; 

Auferuntur tela, 
In quibus fidebat ; divisa 

Sunt illius spolia, 

Capta prseda sua. 
Christi pugna fortissima 

Salus nostra est vera, 
Qui nos summam ad patriam 

Duxit post victoriam, 

In qu& Tibi laus est setema. 




SEQUENCES. 25 

O oifspring highly blest, 

Redeeming man forlorn, 
God, Maker of the world confest, 

Is of a woman born. 
What marvel passing strange 

This nature doth enfold ! 
Taking the new without a change, 

Retaining still the old. 
The very Godhead is 

In human flesh array'd : 
What ear of earthly witnesses 

Hath heard such things essay'd ? 
To seek that which was lost 

The Shepherd good came down ; 
Like warrior armed at his post 

A helm His head doth crown. 
On his own darts the foe 

Himself doth headlong thrust ; 
Stripp'd of his arms he lieth low, 

Wherein he put his trust. 
Divided is the spoil, 

The captor captive ta'en ; 
Christ's valiant fight the foe doth foil. 

And sure salvation gain. 
Then to His home on high 

Our Champion led the way, 
Triumphing in His victory. 

Where Thou art praised for aye. 



26 SEQUENCES. 




IN DIE EPIPHANI^. 

'PIPHANIAM Domino 
Canamus gloriosam ; 
Qua Frolem Dei 
Yere magi adorant ; 
Immensam Chaldsei 

Cujus per ssecla 
Yenerantur potentiam ; 
Quern cuncti prophetSB 
Prsecinuere yenturum 
Gentes ad salvandas ; 
Cujus majestas ita est inclinata 
Ut assumeret servi formam ; 
Ante siecula Qui Deus et tempora 
Homo factus est ex Mari^ 
Balaam ile Quo yaticinans, 

Exibit ex Jacob 
Rutilans, inquit, Stella, 
Et confringet ducum agmina 
Regionis Moab 
Maximd, potenti^. 
Huic magi munera 
Defenint praeclara, 
Aurum simul, tbus et myrrham. 



SEQUENCES. 27 




THE EPIPHANY. 

jET us duly magnify 
This renown'd Epiphany, 
To the Child of God to-day 
Wise men rightful homage pay. 
Whom, immeasurably great, 
Chaldee sages venerate, 
To Whose coming, man to save. 
All the prophets witness gave : 
His majestic throne on high, — 
Such His great humility, — 
He refused not to forsake. 
And a servant's form to take ; 
God from all eternity, 
Ere the world began to be, 
He was man of Mary made : 
Whom predicting Balaam said, — 
Out of Jacob, seen from far, 
There shall come a flaming star, 
Which with power shall smite the host 
Of Moab to his utmost coast. 
Him their costly offering, 
Gold, myrrh, incense, wise men bring. 

I The 14th or 15th Century. 



n 



28 SEQUENCES, 

Thure Deum praedicant, 
Auro Regem magnum, 
Hominem mortalem myrrhs. 
In somnis bos monet 
Angelus, ne redeant 
Ad regem commotum propter regna ; 
Pavebat etenim 
Nimium Regem natum, 
Verens amittere regni jura ; 
Magi, sibi stelltl micante praeyia, 
Fergunt alacres itinera patriam 
Qu88 eos ducebat ad propriam ; 
Linquentes Herodis mandata. 
Qui percussus corde nimium prsB ira, 
Extemplo mandat infantulos per cuncta 
Inquiri Betbleem confinia, 
Et mox privari eos vita. 
Omnis nunc caterva tinnulum jungat laudibus 

organi pneuma, 
Mysticd offerens Regi regum Cbristo munera pre- 

tiosa, 
Foscens ut per orbem regna omnia protegat in 
ssecula sempitema. 



^ 



SEQUENCES. 29 

God, sweet incense ; precious gold 
A King 5 myrrh doth a Man unfold : 
Angel- warned, no word they bring 
Back to Herod, ruthless king, 
Fearing much, in rage and hate, 
He should lose his royal state. 
Lo ! the star before them went, 
Homeward on their journey bent, 
Glad they seek their native land, 
Heeding not the king's command. 
Madden 'd with exceeding ire 
Forth he sends the mandate dire 
Throughout Bethlehem's coasts to seek 
And to slay the infants meek. 
Now the choir their voice unite. 
Organs swell with mystic rite, 
Bringing to the King of kings. 
Praise and costly offerings. 
O'er all kingdoms, o'er all lands 
May He spread His sheltering hands. 
Ever present to defend, 
Unto worlds that never end. 




30 



SEQUENCES. 



IN DIE SANCTO PASCHuE. 




ULGENS praeclara 

Butilat per orbem hodie dies, in qua 
Christi lucida 

Narrantur ovanter prselia, 
I)e hoste superbo quern Jesus triumphavit, pulchi c 
castra 

Blius perimens teterrima. 
Infelix culpa Evse 

Qu^ caruimus omnes yit^ 
Felix Proles Marise 

Qu^ epulamur modo unk. 
Benedicta sit celsa Regina ilia, 
Generans Regem spoliantem tartara, 

Pollentem jam in sethera. 
Rex in setemum suscipe benignus 

Praeconia nostra, 

Sedul^ Tibi canentia, 
Patris sedens ad dextram, 
Victor ubique morte superat^, 

Atque triumphat^, 

Polorum possidens gaudia. 
O magna, O celsa, O pulchra, 

Clementia Christi 



SEQUENCES. 31 




EASTER DAY.» 

IhIS day the dawn glows bright above 
the sun 
Telling how Christ hath fought and 
glorious victory won. 
Jesus hath t^umphed o'er the haughty foe, 
And his foul camp majestic hath laid low. 
Unhappy sin of Eve 

Of which all death do reap ; 
O happy Mary's Child 

With whom now feast we keep. 
Blest be the Queen exalted high 
Bearing the Eling who puissantly 
Despoiled hell and reigneth in the sky. 
O King for ever, graciously 
Accept our heralding of Thee, 
To Thee at God's Right Hand on high. 

Crying aloud incessantly. 
Death's power in all lands o'erthrown, 
Thou in triumph high art gone 
To joys of Heaven which are Thine own. 
O vast, O lovely clemency, 
Light-giving boon of Christ on high 

> Early in the 16th Century. 



32 SEQUENCES. 

Luciflua, O alma. 
Laus Tibi honorque ac virtus, 
Qui nostram antiquam 
Leviasti sarcinam. 
Boseo cruore Agni 
Benignissimi empta 
Florida micat haec aula. 
Potenti virtute nostra 
Qui lavit facinora 
Tribuens doua fulgida. 
Stupeos valde in memet jam miror hodierna, 
Tanta indignis pandere nobis sacramenta. 
Stirpe Davidica 
Ortus, de tribu Juda 
Leo potens surrexisti in gloria, 

Agnus visus es in terra. 
Fundans olim arva, 

Kegna petis supera, 
Justis reddens prsemia, in ssecula 

Dignanter ovantia. 
Die, impie Zabule, 
Quid valet nunc fraus tua, 

Igneis nexus loris 

A Christi victorik ? 
Tribus, linguae, admiramini, 
Quis audivit talia miracula ? 
Ut mors mortem sic superaret, 
Kei perciperent talem gratiam. 

Judaea incredula. 
Cur manes adhuc inverecunda ? 



SEQUENCES. 2;^ 

Breathing on us benignantly. 
Honour to Thee and praise 
Who didst the load upraise 
Which burden'd our old days. 
Brightly gleam the courts of God 
.Purchased by the crimson flood 
Of the Lamb*s most precious blood. 
By His mighty virtue He 
Cleansed all our misery, 
Granting gifts benign and free. 
Awestruck within myself I gaze 
Upon the wonders of these days, 
That before our unworthy eyes 
Such mighty sacraments should rise. 

From the root of David springing 
Of Judah's tribe the Lion Thou 

Hast arisen, glory bringing, 
Who didst seem a Lamb but now. 

Thou Who laidst the earth's foundations 
Seekest now the realms on high, 

To eternal generations 
Becompensing righteously. 

Prince of evil, wicked fiend, 
What avails thy impious lie ? 

In fiery chains thou art confined 
By Christ's glorious victory. 

Ye peoples ! marvel at the tale ! 
Whoe'er such miracles hath heard ? 

That death o'er death should so prevail. 
Such grace on sinners be conferr'd ? 



34 SEQUENCES. 

Perspice Christicolas, 

Qualia Iseti canunt inclyta 

Redemptori carmina. 

Ergo, pie Rex Christe, 

Nobis dans prsemia, 

Solve nexorum vincula. 

Electorum agmina 

Fac tecum resurgere 

Ad beatam gloriam, 

Digna rependens merita. 
Paraclyti Sancti consolationem piam 
Expectamus, secundum promissionem Tuam, 

Peracta Ascensionis 

Sacr^ solenni^. 

Quii es regressus ad coelos 

Nube tectus clar^ 

Pollens laude setern^. 




SEQUENCES. 35 

Judea, unbelieving land, 
Loi)k forth, and on the Christians gaze, 

See how in joyous crowds they stand, 
And chant the blest Redeemer's praise ! 

Wherefore, O Christ, our holy King, 

Loose us from guilt, and pardon bring. 

Grant that Thy chosen bands with Thee 

May rise in blest felicity. 

And of Thy grace rewarded be. 
The Holy Paraclete^s blest comfort, Lord, 
We look for, trusting to Thy gracious word, 

Soon as Ascension's holy Day 

In solemn joy hath pass'd away, 

When Thou, returning to the skies, 
O'ershadow'd by a cloud to endless praise dost rise. 




36 SEQUENCES. 




FERIA SECUNDA POST PASCHA. 

)YMA vetus expurgetur 
Ut sincere celebretur 
NoYa resurrectio. 
Hsec est dies nostrse spei, 
Hujus mira vis diei 

Legis testimouio. 
Hsec jEgyptum spoliavit, 
Et Hebraeos liberavit 

De fornace ferret ; 
His in arcto constitutis, 
Opus erat servitutis, 

Lutum, later, palea. 
Jam divinse laus virtutis, 
Jam triumphi, jam salutis, 

Vox erumpat libera ; 
Hsec est dies quam fecit Dominus, 
Dies nostri doloris terminus, 

Dies salutifera. 
Lex est umbra futurorum, 
Christus, finis promissorum. 

Qui consummat omnia ; 
Christi sanguis igneam 



SEQUENCES, 37 




EASTER MONDAY. 
(adam db s. victor.) 

URGE the old leaven out, that we 
May welcome with sincerity 
The resurrection new ; 
This is our hope's expected hour, 
Behold this Day of mighty power, 

By the Law's witness true ; 
This Bay hath spoiled th' Egyptian foe, 
And let the Hebrew captives go 

From iron bondage free, 
Who, toiling for deliverance, pined 
'Midst clay and bricks and straw, confined 

In cruel slavery. 
Now let the praise of God most high. 
And voices shouting victory. 

Break forth in triumph free ; 
This is the Day the Lord hath made. 
This Day hath all our grief repaid, 

TheDay of Jubilee. 
The Law foreshadowed things to come, 
Christ, of all promises the sum. 

Doth all things consummate ; 
The precious Blood of Christ outpour'd 



38 SEQUENCES. 

Hebetavit romphseam 

Amot^ custodil,. 
Puer, nostri forma risiis» 
Pro quo vervex est occisus, 

Yitse signat gaudium. 
Joseph exit de cistern^ ; 
Jesus redit ad supema 

Post mortis supplicium. 
Hie dracones Pharaonis 
Draco vorat, k draconis 

Immunis malitilL 
Quos ignitus vulnerat, 
Hos serpentis liberat 

^nei prsesentia. 
Anguem forat in maxill§, 
Christus, hamus et armilla ; 

In cayernam reguli 
Manum mittit ablactatus, 
Et sic fugit exturbatus 

Vetus hospes sseculi. 
Irrisores Helissei 
Cum consoendit domum Dei, 

Zeluro calvi sentiunt ; 
David arreptitius, 
Hircus emissarius 

Et passer effugiunt. 
In maxiM mille stemit, 
Et de tribu su^ spemit 

Samson matrimonium ; 
Samson Gazse seras pandit, 



SEQ UENCES. 39 

Hath wholly quench'd the flaming sword, 

Unguarded is the gate. 
Jesus, Who made us laugh for joy, 
By Isaac is foreshown, the boy 

For whom the ram was slain : 
Forth from the pit doth Joseph rise, 
So, breaking through death's iron ties, 

Jesus comes back again. 
Free from the serpent's deadly power 
He Pharaoh's serpents doth devour 

Like Moses' rod of yore ; 
To those by fiery serpents' bite 
Wounded, the Brazen Serpent's sight 

Doth life and health restore. 
Piercing his jaw with mystic hook 
Ijeviathan Christ captive took ; 

In cockatrice's den 
He the wean'd Child puts in His hand. 
Forthwith dismtiyed he quits the land. 

Erst the world's denizen. 
To Bethel when Elisha went, 
The mocking tribe by she-bears rent. 

Soon felt the bald-head's wrath ; 
David escapes in subtilty, 
The scape-goat swiftly speeds away, 

The living bird flies forth. 
With jaw-bone armed hath Samson slain 
A thousand men, and doth not deign 

In his own tribe to wed ; 
From Gaza's gates he burst the bar, 



40 SEQUENCES. 

Et asportans portas scandit 

Montis supercilium. 
Sic de Jud& Leo fortis, 
Fractis portis dirse mortis. 

Die surgit tertiil. 
Kugiente voce Patris, 
Ad supernse sinum matris 

Tot revexit spolia. 
Cetus Jonam fugitivum 
Veri Jonae signativum, 
Post tres dies reddit vivum 

De ventris angustia. 
Botrus Cypri reflorescit, 
Dilatatur et excrescit ; 
Synagogse ttos marcescit, 

Et floret Ecclesia. 
Mors et vita conflixere, 
Resurrexit Christus verd, 
Et cum Christo surrexere 

Multi testes gloriae. 
Mane novum, mane Isetum, 
Vespertinum tergat fletum ; 
Quia Vita vicit Letnm 

Tempus est Isetitise. 
Jesu victor, Jesu vita^ 
Jesu vitSB via trita, 
Cujus morte mors sopita, 
Ad Paschalem nos invita 

Mensam cum fiducid,. 
Viva panis, vivax unda, 



SEQUENCES. 41 

And bearing posts and doors afar. 

To the hill-top he sped ; 
So from the portals of the grave 
The tribe of Judah's Lion brave, 

The third day doth arise ; 
When roared the Father's voice on high, 
He to our Mother in the sky 

Bare back the precious prize. 
The whale doth Jonah fugitive — 
Of Jonah true figurative — 
After the third day forth alive 

Out of his belly throw ; 
The duster'd grape of Cyprus' vine, 
Doth swell and bring forth generou§ wine. 
The Synagogue's pale blossoms pine. 

The Church doth bloom and grow. 
'Twixt death and life the fight is done. 
The Lord is risen, the victory won. 
Witnesses with th' Anointed One, 

Bise many saints beneath ; 
Let the new morning's joyous ray 
Clear yester-even's tears away, 
It is the time of holy -day, 

For Life hath vanquished Death. 
O Jesu ! Victor, Life, we pray, 
Jesu, of life the well-trod way, 
Whose Death hath Death abolished. 
Deign us with faith assured to lead 

Unto the Paschal Board : 
O Living Bread ! O welling Spring ! 



42 



SEQUENCES. 

Vera Vitis et fecunda, 
Tu nos pasce, Tu nos munda, 
Ut a morte nos secunda 
Tua salvet gratia. Amen. 




SEQUENCES. 

True fruitful Vine ! to Thee we sing ; 
Deign us to feed, to cleanse us deign ; 
From second death and bitter pain 
Deliver us, O Lord ! Amen. 



43 




44 SEQUENCES. 




FERIA TERTIA POST PASCHA. 

'RONE casta concio cantica organa sub- 
nectens hypodorica. 
Regi claustra Deo tartarea rumpenti 
decanta nunc symphonia, 
Morte qui vict4 resurgens, gaudia mundo gestat 

colenda. 
Hsec insolita morantes perdita Cocyti confinia 
Aspectant lumina intrante Illo vita beata. 
Terrore percussa tremiscit daemonum plebs valida. 
Dant suspiria 
Fletuum alta. 
Repagula quis sic audax fregerit mirantur tunc 
fortia. 

Sic ad supera 
Redit cum turm^ 
Glorios^y et timida refovet discipulorum corda. 
Prsecelsa Hujus trophaea admirantes, flagitemus 

nunc voce decliva 
Virginum inter agmina mereamur preciosa colere 

ut Pascha ; 
Galilse& inque sacrata prsefulgida contueri lucis 
exordia. 



SEQUENCES. 45 




EASTER TUESDAY. 

OUR forth, chaste band, your holy 

canticles, 
With deep- toned organ peal accompanied; 
Unto the King Who burst the gates of hell, 
Our God, repeat your joyful melodies. 
When death He had overcome, He rose again, 
Bearing perpetual joy to all the world. 
Lost souls that haunt Cocytus' dismal brink. 
Unwonted brightness wondering descry 
As He doth enter, blessed Lord of life. 

The mighty demon multitude 

Smitten with fear and trembling, quake ; 

Deeply they sigh and wail aloud. 

And much they marvel, Who so bold 

To break the iron prison-bars ? 

Meanwhile into the courts abo^'fe 

Begirt with glittering bands He comes, 
And comforts the disciples' fainting hearts. 
Let us awestruck His trophies contemplate. 
And with low voice our supplication make. 
That we amidst the honoured virgin band 
May celebrate our Easter Festival, 
And on the hallow'd Galilsean day ' 
Gaze on the glorious beams of dawning light. 

1 This is an ancient name for Easter Tuesday. 



46 SEQUENCES. 




FERIA QUARTA POST PASCHA. 

NCINAT orbis cunctus alleluya, 
Votis voce solennia 
Celebrando Paschalia. 
Insontum tenera congaudeat 
Turma sacro fonte nivea, 
Spemens Phlegethontis undas. 
Nos quoque laxas aptemus fibras 

Arte music^ 
Voce sonora modificantes 

Prosis neumata 
Voce satis tinnul^. 
Christus namque mitis hostia 
Factus, nostra ob remedia, 
Crucis pertulit probra ; 
Et jugis vita mauens 

Subiit lethalia, 
Fellis amara passus 
Praelibare pocula. 
Vulnera satis toleravit dira, 

Transfixus clavis et lancea. 
Sic patiendo, mala gerens nostra, 
Descendit ad ima Tartara. 



SEQUENCES. 47 




WEDNESDAY IN EASTER WEEK. 



ET all the world with prayer and praise 
Their yearly alleluias raise 
Easter to celebrate, 
Let infants by baptismal spell 
Wash'd and made white, renouncing hell, 

With them in concert wait. 
Let us adapt our slackened strings, 
While modulated cadence rings, 

Attuned to proses fit. 
For Christ is the meek Victim made, 
Who on the cross, our loss to aid, 

Bare vileness infinite. 
He, Life abiding evermore, 
The pains of death all meekly bore, 

And drank the cup of gall ; 
Sharp words refused not to abide, 
Nail-pierced hands and riven side ; 

Unmurmui-ing suffer 'd all. 
He, our sins bearing, after death 
Descended into hell beneath 

And spoiled the ancient foe ; 
Then of the captured arms He bare 



48 SEQUENCES. 

Hostis antiqui quo defringens arma 
lievehit potens ampla ovando trophsea. 
Sicque devicta morte ac resumptA 
Came resurgit victor die in terti^. 
Unde jam jocundas Ipsi canamus odas, 
Per Quern nobis vita praeluxit seterna 
Et cseli clara nobis patescit aula. 
Cui sit laus praBclara. 




SEQUENCES. 49 

Triumphant to the upper air 

He made an open show. 
Lo ! He, resuming flesh, doth deign 
On the third day to rise again 

Bursting death's prison gate ; 
Haste we to Him, our praise to pay, 
By Whom shines life's eternal ray, 
To^eavenly courts the very Way, 

On Him our blessings wait. 




50 SEQUENCES. 




FERIA QUINTA POST PASCHA. 

»IC nobis quibus fe terris nova 
Cuncto mundo nuncians gaudia 
Nostram rursus visitas patriam ? 
Bespondens placido vultu, clarSt dixit voce 

Alleluia. 
Angelas mihi de Christo indicavit pia miracula: 
Kesurrexisse Dominum siderum cecinit voce 

laudanda. 
Mux ergo pennas volucris vacuas dirigens Iseta per 

auras 
Rediit famulis, et dixit vacuatam legem veterem 

Et novam regnare gratiam ; 
Itaque plaudite famuli, voce clar^, Christus 
hodie 
Redemit nos k morte dirlt. 
Pater Filium tradidit ssevis ; ut Interimerent 

Pro salute nostril. 
Sponte subiit Filius mortem ; ut redimeret nos 
Morte ab setem^. 



SEQ UENCE8. 5 1 




THURSDAY IN EASTER WEEK. 



AY, our home revisiting, 

. From what regfion dost thou spring, 
To the world new joys to bring ? 
With clear voice and placid eyes, 
" Alleluia," she replies, 
" I declare high mysteries ; 
I have heard an angel cry, 
Christ, the Lord of stars on high, 
Hath arisen gloriously. " 
Forthwith like a bird that flies, 
Winging joyous through the skies, 
Back she to her fellows hies ; 
Tells them that the old law's sway 
Is made void and pass'd away, 
And new grace doth reign to-day. 
Wherefore your loud voice of praise. 
Fellow-servants, now upraise, 
Christ this day our ransom pays. 
God the Father did ordain 
That the Son by hands profane 
For our safety should be slain. 



52 



SEQUENCES. 



Nunc requiem capere licet omnibus ; et vita frui 

perpetua. 
Nunc colite pariter mecum, famuli, «elebri laude 

Sanctum Pascha : 
Christus est pax nostra. 




SEQUENCES. 53 

To the bitter Cross and grave 
Willingly himself He gave, 
Us from death for aye to save. 
Wherefore now each troubled breast 
May in safety take its rest, 
Winning life for ever blest 
Join we now» O friends, to greet 
Easter Tide with homage meet : 
Peace in Christ is made complete. 




54 SEQUENCES. 




FERIA SEXTA POST PASCHA. 

ICTIM^ Faschali laudes immolant 
Christiani. 
Agnus redemit oves, 
Christus innocens Patri 
Reconciliavit peccatores. 
Mors et Vita duello 
Conflixere mirando, 
Dux vitse mortuus regnat vivus. 
Die nobis, Maria, 
Quid vidisti in vi^ ? 
Sepulcrum Christi viTentis, 
Et gloriam vidi resurgentis ; 
Angelicos testes, 
Sudarium et vestes. 
Surrexit Christus spes nostra, 
Precedet vos in Galilseam. 
Credendum est magis soli Marise veraci, 
Quam Judseorum turbse fallaci. 
Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere ; 
Tu nobis, Victor Rex, miserere. 



SEQUENCES. 55 




FRIDAY IN EASTER WEEK.» 

[nTO the Paschal Victim bring, 
Christians, your thankful offering — 
The Larab redeera'd the flock. 
So sinners Christ Who knew no guile 
Did to the Father reconcile. 

Meeting in wondrous shock 
Lo ! Death and Life in combat strive, 
The Lord of Life Who died doth reign alive. 

Declare unto us, Mary, say, 

What thou sawest on the way ? 
I saw the grave that could not Christ retain ; 
I saw His glory when He rose again ; 
I saw the angelic witnesses around ; 
The napkin and the linen clothes I found. 

Christ our hope hath risen, and He 

Will go before to Galilee. 
Believe we Mary's word alone ; refuse 
To heed the sayings of the lying Jews. 
Christ from the dead we know is risen indeed : 
Victorious King, have pity in our need '. 

I This is one of the four Sequences retained in the Roman 
Missal, of which several English translations exist, which, 
however, omit or abbreviate the last four lines. It is pro- 
bably of the 11th Century. 



56 SEQUENCES. 




DOMINICA IN OCTAVIS PASCHiE. 

AUDES Salvatori voce 

Modulemus supplici. 
Et derotis melodiis coelesti Domino 

Jubilemus Messise : 
Qui seipsum exinanivit, ut nos perditos 
Liberaret homines. 
Came gloriam 

Deitatis occulens. 

Fannis tegitur 
In pr/Bsepi, miserans 
Prsecepti transgressorem, 

Pulsum patri^ 

Paradisi nudulum. 
Joseph, Marise, 

Simeoni subditur : 
Circumciditur, 

Et legali hostia 
Mundatur ut peccator. 

Nostra Qui solet 
Kclaxare crimina. 

Servi subiit 

Manus baptizandus, 



SEQUENCES. 57 




SUNDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER. 

{Notker.) 

ET us with lowly tone 

The Saviour's praises sing ; 
Messiah on His heavenly throne 

Devoutly worshipping ; 
Who deign'd in flesh to shade 

His glorious Deity ; 
Himself of no repute He made 

Us lost ones to set free. 
He in a manger lies, 

Wrapp'd in His swaddling band, 
Grieving o'er their lost Paradise, 

Who brake God's high command. 
He was to Simeon's sight 

By Mary's arms conveyed : 
And circumcision's holy rite 

Unmurmuring obeyed. 
Cleansing He doth receive 

By legal oflFering pure, 
Who sinners doth Himself reprieve 

And of release assure. 



58 SEQUENCES, 

Et perfert fraudes tentatoris, 

Fugit persequentium lapides, 

Famem patitur, 

Dorm it et tristatur, 

Ac lavat discipulis pedes 

Deus homo summus humilis. 

Sed tamen inter 

Haec abjecta corporis, 

Ejus Deitas 
Nequaquam quivit latere, 

Signis variis 
Ac doctrinis prodita. 

Aquam nuptiis 
Dat saporis vinei ; 

Ccecos oculos 
Claro lumine vestivit ; 

Lepram luridam 
Tactu fugat placido, 

Putres suscitat mortuos, 

Membraque curat debilia. 
Fliixum sanguinis constrinxit, 

Et saturavit 
Quinque de panibus 

Quina millia. 
Stagnum peragrat fluctuans, 

Ceu siccum littus ; ventos sedat. 
Linguam reserat constrictam, 

Reclusit aures 

Privatas vocibus ; 

Febres depulit. 



SEQUENCES. 59 

Permits His servant's hands 

His Master to baptize, 
The glozing tempter's wiles withstands, 

Stones cast in hatred flies. 
God-man, most meek, most high, 

Sleeps weary, hath no meat, 
Pours forth sad tears in charity, 

Washes His servants' feet. 
Yet through these lowly signs 

Of poor humanity. 
Brightly by works and doctrine shines 

His present Deity. 
To grace the nuptial board 

Water He turns to wine, 
To blinded eyes He light restored, 

Their vestiture divine. 
Touch'd by His finger fled 

The leper's foul disease ; 
He from corruption raised the dead. 

And gave the palsied ease. 
He with five loaves of bread 

Five thousand satisfied. 
On water as on land did tread, 

The wild winds pacified. 
The stammering tongue He freed, 

The fevers drove away ; 
Ears taught once more the voice to hear 

Attest His mighty sway. 
When 'midst such wondrous signs 

His days were gliding by, 



6o SRQUENCES 

Post hsec mira miracula taliaque, 
Sponte su^ comprehenditur, et damnatur, 
£t se crucifigi non despexit : 
Sed sol Ejus mortem non aspexit. 

lUuxit dies 

Quam fecit Dominus, 
Hostem devastans 

Et Victor suis 
Apparens dilectoribus vivus. 

Primo Marise, 

Dehinc Apostolis, 

Docens scripturas, 

Cor aperiens, 
Ut clausa de Ipso reserarent. 

Favent igitur 
Resurgenti Qhristo 

Ouncta gaudiis. 
Floras, segetes, 

Redivivo fructu vernant, 
Et volucres, gelu 

Tristi terso, dulce jubilant. 
Lucent clarius 

Sol et luna, morte 
Christi turbida. 

Tellus herbida 
Resurgenti Christo plaudit, 

Quae tremula Ejus 
Morte se casuram minitat. 
Ergo die ista exsultemus, 

Qu^ nobis viam vitte 



SEQUENCES. 61 

He to vile hands Himself resigns, 

Condenm'd unrighteously. 
Upon the Cross to die 

He patiently did brook, 
But on His death with darkened eye 

The sun refused to look. 
The Day the Lord hath made 

Scarce on the world had shone, 
When He to loving hearts conveyed 

Tidings of victory won. 
His voice first Mary hears, 

Next to th' Apostles' hearts 
His word the opened Scripture clears, 

And hidden truths imparts. 
Therefore with one accord 

Creation doth rejoice, 
And welcome back the risen Lord 

With gratulating voice. 
The flowers, the fruitful fields, 

With new-born freshness spring, 
Touch'd by new warmth the keen frost yields, 

And birds their pseans sing. 
Overcast with sudden shade 

Of gloom at Jesus' death 
The sun and moon now glorious made 

Illumine all beneath. 
Fair earth from hiU and dell 

Doth Christ with joy accost, 
Which trembling threaten'd ruin fell, 

When He gave up the ghost. 



62 SEQUENCES. 

Resurgens patefecit Jesus. 
Astra, solum, mare, jocundenturj 
Et cuQcti gratulentur 
In ctelis spiritales chori 
Trinitati. 




SEQUENCES. 6^ 

Exult we on that day 

When Jesus rose again » 
And open'd wide the living way 

By which our life we gain. 
Let stars, earth, heaven, rejoice, 

And all the choirs on high 
Upraise their glorifying voice 

To praise the Trinity. 




64 SEQUENCES. 




IN DIE ASCENSIONIS DOMINI. 

^EX omnipotens, die hodierna 
Mundo triumphali redempto potentilL, 
Victor ascendit cselos, unde descenderat. 
Nam quadraginta postquam surrexerat 
Diebus sacris confirmaDs pectora 
Apostolorum, pacis cara relinquens oscula, 
Quibus et dedit potestatem laxandi crimina, 
Et misit eos in raundum, baptizare cunctas animas, 
In Pair is et Filii et Spiritds Sancti dementi^. 
Et convescens, prsecepit eis ab Hierosolyma 
Ne abirent, sed expectarent promissa munera ; 
Non post multos cnim dies mittam vobis Spiritum 

Faraclitum in terr^, 
Et eritis Mihi testes in Hierusalem, Judse^, sive 

Samari^. 
£t cum hoc dixisset, videntibus iliis, elevatus est, et 

nubes clara 
Suscepit Ilium ab eorum oculis intuentibus illis 

sthera. 
£cce stetere amicti duo viri in veste alb& 
Juxta, dicentes, Quid admiramini cselorum alta ? 



SEQUENCES. 6$ 




ASCENSION DAY. 
(habtmann. a monk of s. gall.) 

/HE Almighty King, victorious, on this 
Day, 
Having redeem^ the world with pnissant 
might, 
Ascended to the skies from whence He came. 
After His Kesurrection He confirmed 
The Apostles' hearts for forty holy days, 
Leaving His pledge of love, the kiss of peace, 
And gave them power of remitting sins, 
And sent them to baptize in all the world. 
In grace of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; 
Commanding, as He sat with them at meat. 
They should not from Jerusalem depart, 
But wait for gifts which had been promised. 
" After not many days, the Comforter 
The Spirit, I will send to you on earth 5 
Ye shall bear witness to me in Judsea, 
And in Jerusalem, or in Samaria." 
And when He had said this, it came to pass 
While they beheld, lo ! He was taken up, 
And a bright cloud out of their sight received Him, 

r 



66 SEQUENCES. 

Jesus enim hie, Qui assumptus est k vobis ad Fatris 

dexteram, 
Ut asoendit, ita veniet, quBerens talenti commissi 
lucra. 

O Deus cseli, maris, arvi, 

Hominem, quern cre^sti, 

Quern fraude subdola 

Hostis expulit Faradiso, 

Et captivatum secum 

Traxit ad tartara, 

Sanguine proprio 

Quern redemisti Deus, 

lUuc et revehis, 

Unde prius corruit, 

Paradisi gaudia. 
Judex cum veneris, 

Judicare saecula, 

Da nobis, petimus, 

Sempiterna gaudia 

In sanctorum patri^ 

In quk Tibi cantemus 
Omnes Alleluya. 




SEQUENCES, 67 

As towards heaven stedfastly they looked. 
And lo ! two men, in white apparel clad, 
Stood by them, saying, " Wherefore gaze ye so 
Into the height of Jieaven ? for this Jesus, 
»Who now from you to God*s right hand is taken 
Shall so come, in like manner as He goeth, 
The intrusted talents' usury to require." 
God of heaven, of earth, of sea ! 
Thou dost man, — Thy creature erst, — 
Whom by fraud and subtilty 
Satan drave, like him accurst. 
Out of Eden's garden fair 
Down to regions of despair : 
Whom Thou didst redeem again 
By Thy Blood and bitter pain, — 
Bear to Paradise once more, 
Whence by sin he fell of yore. 

Lord, when Thou as Judge shalt come, 
All the imiverse to doom, 
Grant us, we devoutly pray, 
Thy beatitudes for aye. 
In that land of saints, where we 
May Alleluias sing to Thee, 




68 SEQUENCES, 




IN DIE SANCTO PENTECOSTES. 

^ANCn Spiritds adsit nobis gratia, 
Quae corda nostra Sibi faciat habitacula, 
Expulsis inde cunctis vitiis spiritalibus. 
Spiritus alme, illustrator omnium, 
Horridas nostrse mentis purga tenebras: 
Amator sanct^ sensatorum semper cogitatuum, 
Infimde unctionem Tuam clemens nostris sensibus. 
Tu purificator omnium flagitiorum Spiritus, 
Purifica nostri oculum interioris hominis, 
Ut videri supremus Genitor possit k nobis, 
Mundi cordis Quem soli cernere possunt oculi. 
Prophetas Tu inspirit!, ut prseconia Christi prse- 

cinuissent inclyta. 
Apostolos confort4sti, uti tropseum Christi per 

totum mundum veherent. 
Quando machinam per Yerbum suum fecit Deus 

caeli, terrse, marium, 
Tu super aquas, foturus eas, numen Tuum ex- 

pandisti, Spiritus. 
Tu animabus viyificandis aquas foecundas ; 
Tu aspirando das spiritales esse homines. 
Tu divisum per linguas mundum et ritus adunftsti, 

Domine. 



SEQUENCES. 69 




WHITSUN-DAY. 

(king KOBBKT of FRANCE, ACCORDING TO DR. 

NEALE ; DANIEL CONSIDERS IT 

TO BE BY NOTKBR.) 

OW may the Holy Spirit's grace 
Make us His own abiding place, 
Our inmost souls to dispossess 
Of spiritual wickedness. 
Most gracious Spirit, light of all, 
Our minds from darkness disenthral ; 
O TI10U, Who holy thoughts dost love, 
Pour down Thine unction from above. 
Thou who all ill dost purify 
From blindness purge our inner eye. 
To see the Father on His Throne 
On Whom pure hearts shall gaze alone. 
To speak of Christ Thou didst inspire 
The seers with prophetic fire ; 
Didst teach Apostles without fear 
Christ's banner through the world to rear. 
When God did by the Word create 
Heaven, earth and sky, that fabric great, 



70 SEQUENCES. 

Idolatras ad cultom Dei revocas, magistromm 

optime. 
Ergo no8 supplicantes Tibi exaudi propitius, 

Sancte Spiritus, 
Sine Quo preces omnes cassse redduntur, et indignse 

Dei auribus. 
Tu Qui omnium seculorum sanctos Tui Nominis 

Docuisti instinctu amplectendo, Spiritus, 
Ipse hodie Apostolos Christi donans munere 
Insolito et cunctis inaudito sseculis 
Hunc Diem gloriosum fecisti. 




SEQUENCES. 71 

Thou brooding o'er the water's face 
Didst shed abroad Thy mystic grace. 
Thou quickenest with fostering breath 
Water to ransom souls from death, 
TI10U dost revive the hearts of men 
With spiritual life again. 
Tlie world by variance rent, O Lord, 
Thou hast to unity restored ; 
Idolaters Thou dost recall, 
Best Master, to the God of all. 
Thou, Holy Spirit, graciously 
Hear us who lift our prayer to Thee, 
Without Whom prayers are all in vain, 
Nor can the ear of God attain ; 
TI10U, Who enfold'st in Thy embrace 
The saints of every age and race, 
And dost their energies inflame 
By virtue of Thy Holy Name ; 
A gift unwonted pouring out 
On the Apostles' band devout, 
Throughout all ages yet unknown. 
Hast made this Day of high renown. 




72 SEQUENCES. 




FERIA QUARTA QUATUOR TEMPORUM. 

tUX jocunda, lux insignis, 
Qu& de Throno missus ignis 
In Christi discipulos ; 
Corda replet, linguas ditat, 
Ad Concordes nos invitat 

Linguae, cordis, modulos. 
Christus misit quod promisit 
Pignus sponsse quam revisit 

Die quinquagesim^ ; 
Post dulcorem melleum 
Petra fudit oleum, 

Petra jam firmissima. 
In tabellis saxeis, 
Non in Unguis igneis, 

Lex de monte populo ; 
Paucis cordis novitas 
Et linguarum unitas 

Datur in ceenaculo. 
O quam felix, quam festiva, 
Dies in qu^ primitiva 

Fundatur Ecclesia ! 
VivsB sunt primitis 
Nascentis Ecclesise 

Tria primum millia. 



SEQUENCES, 73 




EMBER WEDNESDAY IN WHITSUN 

WEEK. 

(ADAM DB S. VICTOR.) 

/H* illustrious day, when from the Throne 
The fire of God came rushing down 
On Christ's assembled band ; 
To enrich their tongues, their hearts to fill ; 
To kindred praise invites us still 

Of heart) and tongue, and hand. 
Christ on this Pentecostal Day 
Revisiting without delay 

The Bride, His promise sent ; 
After the honey's treasured worth, 
The Rock a store of oil gave forth, 

The Rock now permanent. 
From Sinai's mount proclaimed the law 
Graven on stone the people saw, 

Not sent in tongues of fire : 
Newness of heart, and quickened mind. 
With unity of tongue combined. 

The chosen few inspire. 
O happy, O most festive day ! 
Whereon the early founders lay 

The Church's pediment ; 



74 SEQUENCES. 

Panes legis primitivi 
Sub un& sunt adoptivi 

Fide duo populi : 
Se duobus interjecit 
Sicque duos unum fecit 

Lapis, caput anguli. 
Utres novi, non vetusti, 
Sunt capaces novi musti ; 

Vasa parat vidua ; 
Liquorem dat Helisseus, 
Nobis sacrum rorem Deus, 

Si corda siut congrua. 
Non hoc musto vel liquore, 
Non hoc sumus digni rore, 

Si discordes moribus. 
In obscuris et divisis 
Non potest haec Paraclisis 

Habitare cordibus. 
Consolator alme, veni, 
Linguas reple, corda leni, 
Nihil fellis aut veneni 

Sub Tua prsesentid.. 
Nil jocundum, nil ameenum, 
Nil salubre, nil serenum, 
Nihil dulce, nihil plenum, 

Nisi Tua gratia. 
Tu lumen es, et unguentum, 
Tu ceelestes condimentum, 
AqusB ditans elementum 

Virtu te mysterii. 



SEQUENCES, 75 

The rising Church's first-fruits bom 
To life anew this holy mom 

Three thousand souls present. 
The two loaves by the law ordained » 
Two people represent, retained 

By faith's adoptive tie ; 
The Head- Stone of the comer, set 
Between the two, together met, 

Hath wrought out unity. 
New bottles, not the worn and old. 
New wine are suitable to hold ; 

With oil Elisha fills 
The widow's vessels not a few ; 
So on fit hearts His holy dew 

God graciously distils. 
We are not worthy of this wine, 
Nor oil, nor of this dew divine. 

If discord reigns within : 
His consolation cannot find 
A place in a divided mind. 

Or heart obscured by sin. 
Come, Holy Comforter benign. 
Our tongues control, our hearts incline ! 
If on us Thy blest presence shine. 

No poison harms, no gall ; 
There is no joy, no pure content, 
No health, no calm stabiliment, . 
Sweetness hath no constituent. 

Except Thy grace do all. 
Thou art the light, the oil to cure, 



y5 SEQUENCES. 

Nova facti creatura, 

Te laudamus mente pur& ; 

Gratise nunc, sed natur& 

Prius ine filii. 
Tu Qui dator es et donum, 
Tu qui condis omne bonum, 
Cor ad laudem redde pronum, 
Nostrse linguse formans sonum 

In Tua prseconia : 
Tu purga nos a peccatis, 
Auctor Ipse puritatis, 
Et in Christo renovatis 
Da perfectse novitatis, 

Plena nobis gaudia. 




SEQUENCES. 'j'j 

Thou, working in the water pure, 
Mysterious virtue dost assure 

To bless Thy chosen race. 
By new creation bom again, 
To praise Thee now our hearts are fain ; 
By nature sons of wrath, we gain 

The privilege of grace. 
Thou art the gift, the giver too, 
All good on earth to Thee is due, 
With gratitude our hearts endue, 
To praise Thy Name with accents true 

Do Thou our lips ordain ; 
Cleanse us, we pray, from all eur sin, 
Of purity Thou origin ; 
That we, renewed in Christ, may win 

perfect life, and bring us in 

Where joys in fulness reign. 




78 SEQUENCES. 




FERIA QUINTA POST PENTECOSTEN. 

^LMA chorus Domini nunc pangat nomin 

summL 
Messias, Soter, Emmanuel, Sabaoth 

Adouai, 

Est Unigenitus, Via, Vita, Manus, Homoousion, 
Principium, Primogenitus, Sapientia, Virtus, 
Alpha, Caput Fiuisque, simul vocitatur et est O ; 
Pons et Origo boni, Paraclitus et Mediator ; 
Agnus, Ovis, Vitulus, Serpens, Aries, Leo, Vermis j 
Os, Verbum, Splendor, Sol, Gloria, Lux et Imago, 
Panis, Flos, Vitis, Mons, Janua, Petra, Lapisque ; 
Angeluset Sponsus,Pastorque,Propheta, Sacerdos ; 
Athanatos, Kyrios, Theos, Pantocraton et lesus, 
Salvificet nos, sit Cui saecla per omnia doxa. 




SEQUENCES. 79 




WHITSUN THURSDAY. 

)0W let the sacred band the Lord's high 
names expand. 
Messiah, Saviour, Lord of Hosts, Em- 
manuel, 
Only-Begotten, Way, Life, Hand, Homoousion, 
Beginning, the First-Bom, Wisdom, and Power, 
The Head, and End, Alpha and Omega, 
Fountain of Good, Advocate, Mediator, 
Lamb, Sheep, Calf, Dragon, Lion, Kam and 

Worm ; 
Mouth, Word, Sun, Brightness, Glory, Light 

and Lnage ; 
Bread, Blossom, Vine, Mount, Door, Bock, 

Comer- Stone ; 
Messenger, Bridegroom, Shepherd, Prophet, 

Priest 5 
The Lord, Immortal, God, Almighty, Jesus ; 
May He our Saviour be, to Whom be glory ever. 



^ 



8o SEQUENCES. 




FERIA SEXTA POST PENTECOSTEN. 

[aUDES Deo devotas 
DulcL voce et sonor&, 
Plebs resultet catholica. 

Spiritils sancti gratia 

Apostolis die hodiema 

In igneis linguis est infiisa. 

Paracliti praesentia 

Emundet nos a peccati maculk 

Pura sibi aptans habitacula. 

Charismatum ac munera 

Pectoribus nostris pius infundat; 

Vita nostra Ei ut complaceat. 

Per saeculorum ssecula 

Conclamemus Alleluia. 
Sit Deo laus, potestas, honor, virtus et gloria. 




SEQUENCES. 81 




FRIDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK. 

(notkek.) 

OW let all the Church uniting, 
Praises meet to God reciting, 
Tune aloud their grateful songs ; 
On this day the Spirit Holy 
Deigned upon the Apostles lowly 

Grace to pour in fiery tongues. 
May the Comforter indwelling, 
From our hearts all sin expelling, 

Take us for His own abode ; 
Gifts and graces high outpouring, 
In our breasts devotion storing. 

So our life shall please our God. 
May we Alleluias singing 
Through all ages ceaseless ringing, 

Raise our acclamations high, 
Praise ascribe and exaltation, 
Honour, might, and adoration. 

Unto God eternally. 




82 SEQUENCES. 




IN DIE SANCT^ TRINITATIS. 

[ENEDICTA sit beata Trinitas, Deltas 
setema pariter, coaequalis gloria ; 
Deus Genitor, Natus genitus, cum sacro 
Neiimate permanens super omne quod exstat, 
Quibus est una semper voluntas, et k se discrepat 
baud unquam triplicata Persona. 
Nam constat Deitas una, 
Non in tres Deos divisa, 
Quod fides fatetur 
A Christo orthodox^ edita. 
Haec namque pellit delicta, 
Fatriam reddit serenam, 
Qu^ dulcem jubilant 
Agmina sympboniam coelica, 
Altitbroni vestigia 
Imitantur stolis candidata, 
Operiunturque binas 
Quas captant post ssecli discrimina. 
Et nos, quos illustrat Dei gratia, 
Supera demus nostra debita : 
Quatenus caterva ccBlica nobis 
Maneat post funera socia, 
Ultimoque peracto discrimine, 
Foscimus alto perfrui mox palatio, 



SEQUENCES, 83 




TKINITY SUNDAY. 

I LEST be the Holy Trinity, 
Eternal Godhead Thou ; 
Father, Son, Holy Ghost, one God 

To Whom all creatures bow. 
Three Persons in one Godhead dwell 

One Will have all the Three, 
In perfect harmony combined, 

Nor ever disagree. 
Godhead in Unity consists, 

Three Gods there cannot be ; 
So the right faith by Christ set forth 

Confesses stedfastly. 
This is the faith which souls enthralled 

Doth from their sins release, 
And leads them to the cloudless land 

Of purity and peace. 
There in one dulcet symphony 

The hosts of heaven unite ; 
The steps of Christ enthroned on high 

They follow clad in white. 
There, while this life's vicissitudes 

Pass by and quickly fade, 
In the changed raiment, which they yearn 

To win, they stand arrayed. 



8^ SEQ UENCES. 

Quo perspicua flagrat lux accensa 
Constanti flammfl, qu» Deus est, 
Visio nostra et salus etema ; 
Angelorum qu» iUostrat 
Fortiter pectora ; 
Ut in Christo solo sua 
Defigant lamina. 
Hsec namque est sitis 
Dla flagrans, qu^ tunc sitient 
Animse sanctorum et corpora, 
Cum fuerint data 
Perpetua eis pro bonis 
A Judice praemia. 




SEQUENCES. 85 

We likewise, as in duty bound, 

Would pay our debts to heaven. 
Contracted in this upper world, 

As grace to us is given ; 
That after death we with the blest 

May full communion gain. 
And when the righteous doom is fixed 

May heaven's high courts attain ; 
Where God in glory manifest 

Pours forth undying light. 
Where is the Saviour's face for aye. 

That beatific sight; 
That sight doth o'er the Angels* breasts 

Irradiating shine. 
While their adoring gaze they fix 

On Christ the Lord divine. 
Like thirst to theirs the holy saints 

In heart and flesh will feel, 
When for their righteous deeds the Judge 

A recompence shall deal. 




86 SEQUENCES. 




IN DIE DEDICATIONIS ECCLESI^. 

lEKUSALEM et Sion filisB, 
Csetus omnis fidelis curiae, 
^ Melos paiigat jugis laetitise, 

Alleluia. 
Christus enim desponsat hodie 
Matrem nostram norma justitise, 
Quam de lacu traxit miserise, 

Ecclesiam. 
In Spiritfis Sancti dementi^ 
Sponsa Sponsi Isetatur gratia 
A reginis laudis cum gloria 

Felix dicta. 
Dos ut datur crescit Isetitia, 
Quse dos quanta ! triplex potentia, 
Tangens coelum, terras et stygia 

Judicia. 
Mira loquor sed sana credere : 
Eoederatam tam largo munere 
De proprio produxit latere 

Deus homo. 
Formaretur ut sic Ecclesia, 
Figuravit in pari glorijl 
Adae costis formata fsemina, 

Hostis Eva. 




SEQUENCES. 87 

THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 

(ADAM DE S. VICTOR.) 

Jerusalem and Slon's daughters fair, 
Assembled band, who in the faith have 
share, 
With joyful voice unceasingly declare. 

Alleluia ! 
For on this day Christ for His Spouse doth take 
Our Mother, for His faith and justice* sake. 
Whom He brought out of misery's deep lake, 

The Holy Church. 
She in the Holy Spirit's clemency. 
Bride in the Bridegroom's grace rejoicing high. 
In glorious place by queens exaltingly 

Is called blessed. 
Mid'st plaudits loud forthwith is given her dower, 
A dower most wonderful ! a threefold power 
Reaching to heaven, to earth, and to the lower 

Dungeons of hell. 
Doubt not my words, though marvellous they be, 
Her from His side, endowed thus wealthily, 
As the God-Man, a mighty mystery. 

Himself brought forth. 
That in such wise should be the Church's birth — 
The woman showed in figure upon earth 
When she from Adam's side first issued forth, 

Hi-omened Eve. 



88 SEQUENCES. 

Eva fuit noverca posteris : 
Hsec est mater elect! generis, 
Yitse portus, asylum miseris, 

Et tutela. 
Pulchra, potens, partu mirabilis, 
Ut luna, sol, fulget spectabilis, 
Plus acie multo terribilis 

Ordinata. 
Multiplex est singularis una, 
Generalis et individua, 
Omnis sevi, sexus, simul una 

Parit turmas. 
Hsec signata Jordanis fluctibus, 
Hsec quae venit d terrae finibus, 
Scientiam audire cominus 

Salomonis. 
Hsec typicis descripta sensibus, 
Nuptiarum induta yestibus 
Cseli prseest hodie civibus 

Christo juncta. 
O solemnis festum laetitiae, 
Quo unitur Ohristus Ecclesise, 
In quo nostrse salutis nuptise 

Celebrantur ! 
Csetus felix, dulce convivium, 
Lapsis ibi datur solatium, 
Desperatls offertur spatium 

Kespirandi, 
Justis inde solvuntur prsemia, 
Angelorum novantur gaudia, 



SEQUENCES. 89 

Eye was but step-mother to all her seed ; 
To the elect this Mother is indeed 
The port of life, and unto those in need 

A hiding-place. 
Fair, wonderful in offspring, great in might, 
As moon, as sun, she shines in beauty bright, 
More terrible than army for the fight 

Set in array. 
One and alone she is, yet manifold ; 
Receiving all, yet one unbroken fold 5 
To multitudes, herself one, young and old 

She doth give birth. 
This was by Jordan's parted waters shown. 
This she who came from distant lands makes known. 
Attracted by the marvellous renown 

Of Solomon's lore. 
By divers types prefigured, this is she, 
In bridal vesture clad resplendently. 
Above the heavenly hosts upraised to be 

With Christ conjoined. 
solemn festival of high delight ! 
Which doth with Christ Himself the Church unite, 
Wherein our own salvation's marriage rite 

We celebrate. 
O entertainment sweet, assembly blest ! 
Which to the fallen gives consoling rest ; 
To them that have lost hope, the sore distressed, 

A breathing time. 
There are rewards unto the righteous given, 
There joy anew God's angels in the heaven, 



90 SEQ UENCE8. 

Laeta nimis quod facit gratia 

Charitatis. 

Ab seterno Fons Sapientise 

Intuitu solius gratiaB 

Sic prsevidit in rerum serie 

Haec futura. 

Christus ergo nos suis nuptiis 

Becreatos veris deliciis 

Intcresse faciat gaudiis 

Electorum. Amen. 




SEQUENCES. 91 

There hearts are gladdened with the gracious leaven 

Of Charity. 
The Source of Wisdom from eternity, 
By gracious, all-disposing scrutiny, 
In the due course of things did this foresee 

Should come to pass. 
Therefore, when Christ His marriage-feast shall 

make, 
May we with joy of true delights partake, 
And never the blest company forsake 

Of His elect Amen. 




92 SEQUENCES. 




IN DOMENICA INTRA OCTAVAS 
DEDICATIONIS ECCLESI^. 

t-^TABUNDUS exsidtet fidelis chorus 

Coeli. curiae, 
Cum jocundus ornatur Beginse thorus 

Regi gloriae. 
In tali connubio nubit Lappa Lilio 

.SoU SteUa. 
Cum miro consortio animse fit unio 

Dei cella. 
Celebrantur hodie Christi et Ecclesiae 

Castse nuptise. 
Sicut jungit spiritum homo Beo subditum 

Jugo gratifle. 
In hoc matrimonio caro Dei Filio 

Nupsit nobili, 
Ipse vero Filius summus et eximius 

Cessit humili. 
Ima summus petiit, et Sponsam expetiit, quam de 
nigra gestiit 

Candidare. 
Fecit quod disposuit, quia foedam potuit, quando 
Sibi placuit, 

Emundare. 



8KQUENCES. 93 




SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF 
DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 

OW let the faithful choir their serenade 

To high Heaven sing ; 
The chamber of the Queen is ready made 

For glory's King. 
The lowly Burr doth thus with Lily wed. 

With Sun a Star; 
To God the soul, in mystic union led, 

A shrine doth rear. 
Christ and the Church, in chaste espousal knit, 

This day we praise ; 
Thus man to God his spirit doth unite 

In yoke of grace ; 
Flesh to the Son of God in marriage high 

Hath thus attained ; 
The peerless Son to deep humility 

Did condescend. 
The mightiest one of low estate did seek, 
And by His Word the Bride, so dark and meek^ 

Made clean and white. 
What He ordained He hath so fulfilled 
Who the impure could make, if so He willed, 

All pure as light. 



94 SEQUENCES. 

Aocilla propera, ut fias libera 
Cum Tiro regnans sceptrigera ; 
Sponsum considera ; Quern velat litera 
Ipsum revelat fides vera- 




SEQUENCES. 95 

O Handmaid ! haste thy liberty to gain, 

That sceptred with thy Husband thou mayst 

reign 5 
Thy Spouse consider ; Him Whom types disguise 
True faith discerneth with unclouded eyes. 




96 SEQUENCES, 




IN OCTAVIS DEDICATIONIS ECCLESIJE. 

(ADAH DE 8. VICTOR.) 



UAM dilecta tabemacula Domini virtu turn 

et atria, 
Quam electi architecti tuta aedificia, 
Quae non movent, immo fovent 

Ventus, flumen, pluvia. 
Quam decora fundamenta 
Per concinna sacramenta 

Umbrae prsecurrentia. 
Latus Adse dormientis 
Evam fudit immanentis 

CJopulae primordia. 
Area ligno fabricata 
Noe servat gubemata 

Per mundi diluvium. 
Prole ser^ tandem facta 
Anus Sara ridet Iseta 

Nostram lactans gaudium. 
In bivio tegens nuda 
Geminos parit ex Juda 

Thamar diu vidua. 
Sic Moyses k pueUa, 
Dum se lavat, in fiscella 

Reperitur scirpe&. 



SEQUENCES, g'j 




THE OCTAVE OF THE DEDICATION OF 

A CHURCH. 

The original is mach longer, bat the Samm Miflsal g^ves 
onlj the following. 

HE dweUings of the Lord of Hosts how 

fair! 
The Master-BuUder's courts how sure 
they are ! 
Unharmed by wind, or floods, or rain, 

For ever settled they remain. 
How majestic their foundations, 
Shadowy prefigurations 

Of the mystic types pourtray. 
Formed from sleeping Adam's side 
Eve of the approaching Bride 

Doth a sign convey. 
Framed of wood the Ark doth save 
Noah guided o'er the wave, 

When the world was drowned. 
Sarah, stricken noW in years, 
Laughs when she an infknt bears ; 
Her joy doth ours expound. 

H 



gS SEQUENCES. 

Hie mas ugnas immolatur 
Quo Israel satiatur. 

Tinctus ejus sanguine. 
Hue venit Austri regiua 
Salomonis quam divina 

Gondii sapientia. 
HsBc est nigra sed formosa, 
Myrrha et thure formosa, 

Virga pigmentaria. 
Hffic futura quae figura 
Obumbravit, reseravit 

Nobis dies gratise. 
Jam in leeto cum dilecto 
Quiescamus et psallamus, 

Adsunt enim nuptie, 
Quarum tonat initium 
In tubis epulantium 

Et finis per psalterium. 
Sponsum millena millia 
Un& laudant melodiSi 

Sine fine dicentia, 

Alleluya, Alleluya. 




SEQUENCES. gg 

Long widowed, yeUed in robes unfitting, 
Thamar, by the wayside sitting, 

To Judah twins doth bear. 
The royal maiden doth deliver 
The infant Moses from the river, 

In bulrush ark laid near. 
This is the male lamb sacrificed 
With which all Israel was sufficed, 

And by its blood brought nigh ; 
Of Sheba's utmost parts the Queen 
In quest of wisdom here is seen. 

King Solomon to try: 
Black, yet comely, see we her. 
Perfumed with frankincense and myrrh, 

With balmy odours fraught. 
Thus things to come which types concealed, 
The day of grace hath now revealed, 

And illustration brought. 
Now let us take our rest and sing. 
With the beloved tarrying, 

The marriage-hour is come ; 
The trumpets, as the guests go in, 
With echoing tones the Feast begin, 

The psaltery charms them home ; 
Ten thousand thousand voices raise 
With one consent the Bridegroom's praise. 

And Alleluia 1 Alleluia! cry. 

In everlasting joy, unceasingly. 



lOo SEQUENCES. 




DE INVENTIONE SANCTA CRUCIS. 

f ALVE, crux sancta. 
Arbor digna. 
Cigus robur pretiosum 
Mundi ft^rret talentum. 
Ut hostis per lignum victor 
Ligno revinceretur. 
Quodque exortu mortis 
Frimis erat terrigenis 
Faradiso propulsis 
Causa, etiam vitse foret cunctis 
Christi morte ver^ vivificatis. 
Horrificum tu es semper signum 
Inimicis, crux sancta, ssevis. 
Quam mors pavet 
Infernusque timet, 
Qufe Christo suos 
Keconsignat, 
Cui sit laus in setemum. 




SEQUENCES. loi 




THE INVENTION OF THE HOLY CROSS. 

HOU holy Cross, all hail ! 
Thou Tree of dignity ! 
The goodly price at which the world 

Was pnzed hung once on thee. 

That so the ancient foe 

Who triumphed by a tree, 
Should by a Tree discomfited 

Lose all his victory. 

And what brought death to men 

Cast out of Paradise, 
Might be the cause of life to all 

Who by Christ's death arise. 

A spectacle of dread 

To our fell enemies 
Ever thou art, O holy Cross, 

Scaring their evil eyes. 

That which strikes death with awe 

And hell with dire dismay 
His own doth seal for Christ anew ; 

To Whom be praise for aye. 




102 SEQUENCES, 




TRACTUS DE NOMINE JESU. 

kULCE Nomen Jesu Christi, 
Felix omen ferens tristi 
Jocundas mentem jabilo. 
ToUit luctum, affert fnictum, 
Et obductum et seductum 
Purgat cor a nubilo. 

Nominatum, invocatum, 

Honoratiim» predicatum, 

Semper soDat dulciter. 

Tarn peocatum qoam reatum 
CondoDatum, ezpurgatum, 
Reddit mulcens leniter. 

Hostes ferit, mores serit, 

Mala terit, graves gerit, 

Plenum est prsesidium. 
Nos defendit, nos accendit, 
Nos intendit et extendit 
Hoc Nomen in gaudium.- 




SEQUENCES. loj 




TRACT ON THE NAME OF JESUS.' 

lESU Christ, Name sweet ^o hear, 
To the sad an omen dear, 
With joy thou filPst the mind. 
Grief from Thee flies, we gain a prize, 
And clouded eyes see light arise 
And truth the erring find. 
To speak that Name, or to proclaim. 
Or give it fame, is still the same. 
It ever sweetly sounds ; 
Foul deeds of sin, had thoughts within, 
Cleansed hy that Name, do pardon win, 
YHiidi gently heals our wounds. 
It scares our foes, and goodness sows, 
It soothes our woes, the proud o'erthrows. 
It gives protection sure. 
This Name defends, and vigour lends, 
Our will amends, our aim extends. 
To joys which aye endure. 



I The Trad u said instead of Alleluia on all Snndaj^s 
within the forty days of Lent. This being metrical, forming 
a part of a Mass of 7%e Name of JesuSt said to have been 
composed by F. Bernardin de Bnstis in the time of Sixtas IV., 
is introdooed ',here, in addition to the Sequence vbich 
follows it. 



104 SEQUENCES. 




DE NOMINE JESU. 

^ESIJS dnlcis Nazarenus, 
Judseorum Rex amoenus» 
Piusy pulcher, floridus ; 
Pro salute suse gentis 
Subit mortem cum tormentis 

Factus pallens, lividus. 
Dulce nomen et cognomen 
Hoc transcendens est prsenomen 

Omnibus hominibus. 
Mulcet reos, sanat eos, 
Fovet justos, munit eos, 

Servans ab insultibus. 
Hujus Kegis sub vexillo 
Statu degis in tranquillo, 

Hostes tui fugiunt. 
Nomen Ejus meditatum 
Belli fugat apparatum, 

Hostes victi rugiunt. 
Hoc est Nomen recolendum, 
Quod sic semper est tremendum 

Malignis spiritibus : 
Hoc est Nomen salutare, 
Et snlamen singulare, 

Quud succurrit tristibus. 



SEQUENCES. 105 




THE NAME OF JESUS. 

^ESUS, the gentle Nazarene, 
King of the Jews, of kindly mien, 
Gracious in life's fair bloom. 
That He might His own people save 
Himself to death in torment gave, 

Borne pallid to the tomb. 
Sweet is the Name, sweet the Sarname, 
No one such title can proclaim, 

Surpassing all beside : 
It sinners soothes, and gives them cure. 
Comforts the just, and keeps them sure. 

Whatever may betide. 
Under the banner of this King 
Thy life doth cease from troubling, 

Thy foes before thee flee ; 
If thou but think upon this Name, 
Warlike array is put to shame, 

And thou shalt conqueror be. 
Unto this Name be honour paid. 
Which evil spirits, sore afraid. 

Dread, and before It quail : 
This is the Name which brings salvation. 
The only certain consolation 

To aid when sad hearts fail. 



lo6 SEQUENCES. 

Hoc no8 deoet honorare, 
Area cordis inserare, 
Cogitare, peramare, 

A more sed heroico. 
Ignatius hoc docuit, 
Illud passas insonuit, 
Cor ejus scissum patuit 

Inscriptum Jesu cselico. 
Ut quid roajora cupimus 
Quara quod sit Jesus intimus, 
Qui est prseamantissimus, 

Et quserit nos amare. 
' Amat fenrentissim^, 
Amat constantissim^, 
Amat fideiissim^, 

Et suos vult juvare. 
Nomen suum fecit tale 
Ut sit cunctis cordiale, 
Capitale, principale, 

Dilectum ex intimis. 
Habent hoc naturae jura 
Ut amantem totli cura 
Beamemus placitura 

Prsestantes ex animis. 
Jesu Nomen omne bonum 
Tenet, dulcem facit sonum, 
Promeretur regni thronum, 

Auditum Isetificat. 
In hoc lucet splendor patris, 
In hoc patet decor matris, 



SEQUENCES* 107 

Thia are we bound to venerate, 
In our hearts' storehouse to instate, 
Think of it with affection great, 

But with heroic love. 
Ignatius this lesson taught; 
When his good fight the martyr fought, 
Upon his riven heart was wrought 

Jesus, the Lord above. 
No higher can our wishes tend 
Than to have Jesus for our friend, 
Whose love doth every love transcend, 

And never doth upbraid. . 

He loves us, O how fervently ! 
He loves us, O how constantly ! 
He loves us, O bow faithfully ! 

Eager to give us aid. 
So wondrous hath He made His Name, 
That It the hearts of all doth claim, 
First in importance, chief in £une, 

Sweet to our inmost will. 
Our human nature's laws ordain 
That him who loves we love again. 
And all our powers delight to strain, 

His pleasure to fulfil. 
All good doth in that Name abound; 
Its utterance makes the sweetest sound. 
In it is royal merit found. 

To hear it gives delight. 
In it a father's brightness shines, 
A mother's beauty it enshrines. 



io8 S^EQUENCKS. 

In hoc folget honor fratris, 

Hoc fratres magnificat 
Ergo si quis relit scire 
Quare Jesu Nomen mire 
Facit bonos concupire 

Sni inherentiam ; 
Jesus pulcher in decore, 
Summ^ bonus in valore, 
Mitis, lenis cum dulcore, 

Fronus ad clementiam ; 
Jesns est Kex generosus, 
Jesus form& speciosus, 
Jesus lingua gratiosus, 

Et mirandus opere. 
Jesus fortis, animosus, 
Jesus pugil vigorosus, 
Jesus donis copiosus, 

Et gaudet tribuere. 
Jesus pi^ Yiscerosus, 
Jesus' ductor luminosus, 
Jesus est deliciosus, 

Et sapit dulcissime. 
Jesus famd. gloriosus, 
Jesus cunctis fructuosus, 
Jesus totus virtuosus, 

Fovet suos optim^. 
Summus, potens in vigore, 
Summus, oelsus in honore, 
Summus, gratus in amore, 

Omnem laudem obtinet. 



SEQUENCES. 109 

A brother's honour it combines. 

Brethren it decks with might. 
Wherefore whoever desires to see 
Why Jesus' Name so wondrously 
Doth cause the good to long that He 

May deign in them to dwell ; 
Jesus in beauty is most fair. 
In goodness is without compare, 
His gentle sweetness all doth bear, 

His mercy none can telL 
Jesus is King of noble line, 
Jesus is comeliness divine, 
Jesus in word doth mighty shine, 

In deeds most marvellous. 
Jesus, courageous and high-souled ; 
Jesus, the gladiator bold ; 
Jesus, Whose gifts can ne'er be told. 

In bounty plenteous. 
Jesus, compassionate and kind ; 
Jesus, bright leader of the blind ; 
Jesus, all sweets in Him we find. 

In Him is our delight. 
Jesus, in glory high renowned ; 
Jesus, by all men fruitful found, 
Jesus, with every virtue crowned, 

Gives comfort infinite. 
Above all might, the mightiest ; 
Above all honour, lordliest ; 
Above all love, the loveliest, 

All praise to Him pertains. 



no SEQUENCES. 

In sciendo omne sapit, 
Ambiendo cuncta capit, 
Diligendo oorda rapit, 

Et illata detinet. 
Eja !■ nobis Nomen gratom, 
Jesus dolcis appellatum, 
Sit in oorde sic firmatum 

Ut non possit erui. 
Hoc reatom peccatorum 
Tollat, prsestet jubilorum 
Odas, sede beatorum 

Donet nobis perfrui. 




SEQUENCES, m 

In knowledge He doth all transcend, 
His circuit doth to all extend, 
His love all hearts doth apprehend, 

And captive made detains. 
Hail ! Name so precious to the ear ! 
Sweet Jesus ! Name which aU revere ; 
May nought on earth prevail to tear 

This title fh>m our heart 
By this let sin be done away, 
To this let each one homage pay, 
Through this in heavenly realms we pray 

May we attain a part. 



Daniel bestows on this Sequence his special approval ; 
his words are worth quoting: — "Such lays as this must 
needs be perused by all who desire to avoid the idle and 
unfair judgments pronounced on the religion of the middle 
ages. What can be sweeter, what more sublime ; and (to 
add the highest praise) more Christian, than this Sequence ! " 




112 SEQUENCES. 




DE SANCTA CRUCE. 



(AUDES Crucls attollamus 
No8, qai Crucis exultamus 
Special! glorift ; 
Nam in Cruce triumphamus, 
Hostem ferum superamus 

Vitali victoria. 
Dulce melos tangat coelos, 
Duloe lignum dulci digiium 

Credimus melodid. ; 
Voci vita non discordet 
Cum vox vitam non remordet, 

Dulcis est sjrmphonia. 
Servi Crucis Crucem laudent, 
Per quam Crucem sibi gaudent 

Vitse dari mnnera ; 
Dicant omnea et dicant singuli, 
Ave salus totius sssculi 

Arbor salutifera. 
O quam felix, quam praeclara 
Fuit hsec salutis ara 

Bubens Agni sanguine ; 



SEQUENCES, 113 




THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY 

CROSS. 

(ADAM DE S. VICTOIt.) 

^ET US extol the Cross's praise 
And in its special glory raise 
Our voice exultingly 5 
For by the Cross we triumph gain, 
And o'er the cruel foe obtain 

Life-giving victory. 
Let dulcet sound to heaven resound, 
O'er the sweet wood of holy Bood 

Rejoice, as it is meet ; 
Let life and words concordant be : 
When life at one with words we see. 

The symphony is sweet. 
The Cross let all its servants praise, 
By which new life and healthful days 

Upon them are bestowed : 
Let each and all together cry, 
Hail, Cross ! the world's recovery, 

SalvatioU'bearing Bood ! 
O how blessed, how renowned 
Is this saving Altar found 

On which the Lamb was slain 3 



114 SEQUENCES, 

Agni Bine macule 
Qui mundavit ssecula 

Ab antique crimine. 
Haec est scala peccatorum, 
Per quam Christus Rex coelbrum 

Ad Se traxit omnia ; 
Forma Cujus haec osteiidit 
Quse terrarum comprehendit 

Quatuor confinia. 
Non sunt nova sacramenCa, 
Nee recenter est inventa 

Crucis haec religio ; 
Ista dulces aquas fecit, 
Per banc silex aquas jecit 

Moysi officio. 
Nulla salus est in domo, 
Nisi Cruce munit homo 

Superliminaria ; 
Neque sensit gladium 
Nee amisit filium 

Quisquis egit talia. 
Ligna legens in Sar^pt^ 
Spem solutis est adepta 

Pauper muliercula ^ 
Sine lignis fidei 
Nee leeythus olei 

Valet nee farinula. 
In seripturis sub figuris 
Ista latent, sed jam patent 

Crucis beneficia : 



SEQUENCES. 115 

Spotless Lamb, by Whom mankind 
Full deliyerance doth find 

From sin's primaeval stain. 
The ladder This to sinners given, 
By means of which Christ, King of heaven, 

Drew to Him all our race ; 
This doth the form thereof display, 
The arms, outstretching every way 

The world's four parts embrace. 
These are not novel mysteries, 
Not newly doth the Cross uprise 

Its mighty power to show 5 
This sweetened erst the bitter well ; 
Moses did from the rock compel 

Water by This to flow. 
No safety in the house abides 
Till by the Cross who there resides 

His threshold doth secure ; 
No danger from the murderous foe. 
No sad bereavement doth he know, 

Who thus doth help procure. 
The widow, lacking fire and food, 
Who at Sarepta gathered wood, 

The hope of safety gained ; 
Without two sticks for faith to use, 
Barrel of meal and scanty cruise 

Had increase ne'er obtained. 
In ancient writ the Cross lay hid, 
Yet types did show what now we know 5 

To us 'tis brought to light. 



ii6 SEQUENCES, 

Beges credunt, hostes cedunt 
Sold. Cruce Christo duce 

Unus fugat millia. 
Ista Ruos fortiores 
Semper facit et victores, 
Morbos sanat et languores, 

Beprimit dsemonia : 
Dat captivis libertatem, 
Vitse confert novitatem, 
Ad antiquam dignitatem 

Crux reduxit omnia. 
O Crux, lignum triumphale, 
Vera mundi salus, vale, 
Inter ligna nuUiun tale 

Fronde, flore, germino : 
Medicina Christiana, 
Salve sanos, segros sana, 
Quod non valet vis humana 

Fit in tuo nomine. 
Assistentes Crucis laudi 
Consecrator Crucis audi, 
Atque servos tuse Crucis 
Post banc vitam, verse lucis 

Transfer ad palatia ; 
Quos tormento vis servire, 
Fac tormenta non sentire, 
Sed cum Dies erit Irse 
Confer nobis et largire 

Sempitema gaudia. 



SEQUENCES, 117 

Kings credence give, foes cease to strive ; 
By This alone, Christ leading, one 

Doth thousands put to flight. 
The Cross doth make its servants brave. 
And ever victory to have ; 
Heals weakness and diseases grave ; 

Before it demons cower ; 
This to the captive freedom gives, 
Kegenerates our vicious lives ; 
All ancient dignity revives 

Beneath the Cross's power. 
O holy Cross, triumphant Tree ! 
The world's true health, all hail to thee ! 
Amidst the trees none such can be 

In leaf, or flower, or bud. 
Medicine of the Christian soul, 
Heal Thou the sick, preserve the whole ; 
Things which no mortal can control 

Cannot thy power elude, 
lliou, Who the Cross didst hallow, hear 
Us who that holy Cross revere 5 
The servants of Thy Cross convey 
Unto the realms of changeless day. 

When this life's toils are o'er: 
Those whom by pain Thou makest pure 
From everlasting pains secure ; 
And when the Day of Wrath shall come. 
Of Thy vast mercy fetch us home 

To joys for evermore. 



u8 SEQUENCES. 




DE S. MICHAELE. 

»D celebreSy Eex coelice, 
Laudes cuncta 
Pangat canor& caterra 

Symphonic, 

Odas atque solvat concio 

Tibi nostra, 

Cum jam renovantur 

Michaelis inclyta 

Valde festa, 

Per quern laetabunda 

Perornatur machina 

Mundi tota. 

Nonies distincta 

Neumatum sunt agmina 

Per Te facta: 

Sed cum vis, facis hsec 

Flammea per angelicas 

Officinas. 

Inter primseva 

Sunt hsec nam areata Tua, 

Cum simus nos 

Ultima factura, sed imago Tua. 



SEQUENCES, 119 




S. MICHAEL AND AIX ANGELS. 

/O give Thee glory, heavenly King, 
With symphonies and tunefiil lays, 
Let all the choir united bring 

Their tribute of harmonious praise. 
Again returns the festal day 

Of Michael, champion renowned, 
Whose mighty ministering sway 

Gives lustre to the world around. 
Fitly arrayed in orders nine 

The spiritual armies stand ; 
Their angel forms transfigured shine 

Like flames of fire at Thy command. 
First among things created they, 

Last, fashioned in Thine image, we ; 
Divines each office to pourtray 

In nine symbolic names agree. 



120 SEQUENCES, 

Theologica 

Categorizant symbola 

Nobis per ter 

Tripartita per privata officia; 

Flebs Angelica, 

Phalanx et Archangelica, 

Frincipans turma, 

Virtus uranica, 

Ac Fotestas almiphona. 

Dominantia nomina, 

Divinaque Subsellia, 

Cherubim setherea 

Ac Seraphim ignicoma. 

Vos. O Michael, coeli satrapa, 

Gabrielque vera 

Dans verbi nuntia, 

Atque Baphael iritse vemula, 

Transferte nos inter 

Faradisicolas. 

Fer vos Fatris cuncta 

Complentur mandata, 

Quse dat Ejusdem sophia 

Compar quoque Fneuma, 

Una permanens in usi&, 

Cui estis administrantia 

Deo millia millium sacra. 

Vices per bis quinas 

Bis atque quingentas,* 

1 Al. qningenta dena. 



SEQUENCES. 121 

Angels, an army manifold, 

Archangels, serried phalanx bright ; 
And Principalities untold, 

Power gracious-mouthed, heavenly Might. 
Thrones which before th* Almighty stand, 

Dominions high of puissant name. 
And Cherubim, sethereal band, 

And Seraphim with hair of flame. 
Do ye, O Michael, prince of heaven, 

And Gabriel, bearing tidings blest. 
And Raphael, erst a servant given, 

Bear us in Paradise to rest. 
By you the Father's work is doiie. 

Set forth by wisdom of the Same ; 
And the coseval Spirit, one 

In substance, never-failing Name. 
God to Himself doth consecrate 

Your thousand thousand holy bands ; 
Your hundred thousand thousands wait 

In courses ten on His commands. 
Arrayed the palace courts around ; 

Whither the hundredth sheep, long sought, 
And the tenth piece of silver found, 

Cause of your joy, the King hath brought. 
Ye in the heavens, a chosen choir. 

We, the expanse below that tread. 
Our votive harmonies conspire 

With tuneful harp and lute to wed. 



122 SEQUENCES. 

Vestra centena millena 
Assistant in aulU, 
Ad quam Rex ovem centesimam 
Verbigena drachmamque decimam 
Vestra duxit ad agalmata.* 
Vos per sethra, 
Nos per rura terrea, 
Pars electa, harmonise vota 
Demus hyperlyricft cytharft, 
Ut post bella Michaelis inclyta 
Nostra Deo sint accepta 
Auream super aram thymiamata. 
Quo in cx)aeva, jam gloria 
Condecantemus Alleluia. 

1 Super algamatha. 




SEQUENCES. 

That so when Michaers wars shall end, 
Our prayers well pleasing to the skies 

May from the golden Altar wend, 
While ceaseless Alleluias rise. 



123 




124 SEQUENCES, 




IN NATALI UNIUS EVANGELISTiE. 



A US devote mente 
Choro concinente, 
Christo sit cum gloria ; 

Qui Evangelistas 

Veri dogmatistas 
Insignivit gratis. 

Quique suo more 

Lucem ex fulgore 
Dat per orbis climata : 

Tales dum elegit 

Per quos jam subegit 
Haereses et schismata. 

Hi bis bini fontes 

Vallcs atque montes 
Irrigantes flumine ; 

Orti Faradiso 

Mundum indiviso 
lUustrantes famine. 

Illos per bis bina 

Visio divina 
Signat animalia, 



SEQUENCES, 125 




THE COMMON OF AN EVANGELIST. 



)0 Christ your voices raise, 
In glorifying praise, 
Ye reverential choir j 
Who the Evangelists, 
Truth's earnest dogmatists, 

Did with His grace inspire : 
Who, as Him doth beseem 
Who by the lightning's gleam 

Unto the world gives light ; 
By these whom He chose out 
All heresies doth rout, 

And schism put to flight. 
These are the fountains four 
From whence the rivers pour 

O'er hill and glade to reach ; 
From Paradise they spring, 
The world illumining 

With undivided speech. 
Four living creatures show 
These four to us below, 

So holy vision says : 



126 SEQUENCES, 

A quibusdam visa 
Formis tunc divisa 

Gestu sed sequalia. 
Pennis decorata, 
Terris elevata, 

Cum rotis euntia ; 
Facie serenft, 
Oculorum plena, 

Verbi Dei nuncia. 
In his possunt cerui 
Annuli quatemi 

Quibus Archa vehitur ; 
Quorum dogma sanum 
Per Samaritanum 

Circumquaque seritur. 
Tali quasi plaustro 
Mulier ab austro 

Salomonem adiit ; 
In h^c sen quadrig^ 
Agnus est auriga 

Qui pro nobis obiit. 
Istis in bis binis 
Caput est et finis 

Christus complens omnia 3 
Horum documentis, 



SEQUENCES, 127 

Each differing in form, 
In action uniform, 

Before the prophet's gaze. 
With wings of fashion fair, 
Poised o'er the earth in air. 

Forth with tbeir wheels they go ; 
Calm and composed of mien, 
And fiill of eyes, and keen 

The Word of God to show. 
In these we may behold 
The twice two rings of gold. 

Which Israel's Ark did bear ; 
Their doctrine's wholesome sound, 
Christ's Church, wherever found, 

Its Keeper,^ doth declare. 
On such a car conveyed, 
The Queen of Sheba paid 

Her court to Solomon 5 
These the Lamb's chariots are. 
Who, for the love He bare 

Towards us, to death was done. 
Christ is the head and end 
Who all doth comprehend, 



I S. Angastine, commenting on the Jews saying to onr 
Lord, " Thon art a Samaritan and hast a devil," remarks 
that Christ did not repudiate the title " Samaritan/' '* be- 
cause it signifies " keeper," custos, and He is the true 
Keeper." I have ventured to interpret the obscure phrase 
*' Samaritanum," in the spirit of this commentary, as im- 
plying that Christ's Church is " the Keeper of Holy Writ." 



128 SEQUENCES. 

Horum instrumentis 
FloreDS stat Ecclesia. 
Horum nos precatu 
Mortis a reatu 
Solvat Christ! gratia : 
Horum ut doctrind, 
Virtus nos divina 
Ducat ad ooelestia. 




SEQUENCES. 129 

In these four Gospels found ; 
Upon their teaching staid, 
Their instrumental aid, 

The Church her faith doth ground. 
At their blest intercessions 
May Christ from all transgressions 

Deliver us through grace ; 
And, by the Word they teach 
Direct us till we reach 

In Heaven a resting-place. 




130 SEQUENCES. 




COMMUNE PLURIMORUM MARTYRUM. 

Sequentia I. 

I CCE pulcr& canorum resonet Yoce Alleluia, 
Intimans requiem civibus inclytam. 
Felicia nimium Angelonim rutilant 
agmina, 

Sancte, Sancte, Sancte,Christoovanter proclamantia 
Sublimi in cathedr^ Apostolorum sede fuigida 
Lampada tribus et linguas judicantia 
Omnia ut stercora reput&runt tmnida 
Propter hsec emicant velut Stella firmamenti clara. 
Stolis candidis martyrum adomantur colla, 
Hi sunt milites qui mundi proelislrunt bella, 
Coronis albis curonantur sancti, 
Qui confitentes crediderunt juste 
Vel fide certantes 
Respuerunt vana, 
Modo habent coelestia regna, 
In qua triumphant dicentes optime 
Sive canticant psallentes carmina 
Arte laudiferd 
Voce dulcissim& 



SEQUENCES. 131 




MANY MARTYRS. 

Seqitence I. 

iliLELUIAS softly sounding, 
Chant the Martyrs' requiem ; 
Angel hosts in joy abounding, 

Bright in heavenly glory gleam : 
Holy, Holy, Holy, crying, 

As Christ's heralds doth beseem. 
In the brilliant habitations 

Where Apostles throned in state 
Judge all tribes and tongues and nations, 

Shining with effulgence great. 
These who all as loss have counted, 

Lesser stars, in order wait. 
Martyrs o'er the world victorious 

Stand in raiment white arrayed. 
Saints in snowy chaplets glorious. 

There are seen, who undismayed 
Witnessed a good confession. 

Ne'er the faith and truth betrayed. 
Heaven is now their habitation, 

Uttering words for triumph meet. 



132 SEQUENCES. 

Regi Cbristo submittentes coUa. 
Multum recitaris laude Spirituum» 
Atque jubilaris in choro Virginura, 

Alleluia dulcimode 
Te decantant pudicum agmina. 
Laus Tibi sit semper, Christe, per omnia, 
Qui opitularis cantantes talia 

Voce pulcr^ Alleluia. 
£t nos, Cbriste, proclamamus una. 
Da nobis eterna regna florida, 
Ubi cantemus omnes Alleluia. 




Seqoentia II. 

IRABILIS Deus in Sanctis, mirabilia dans 

magnifica : 
Qui fide prseclar& vicerunt mundi gravis- 

sima pericula : 
Judicum minas, yerbera, et blanditias 
Cuiitemnentes mente robusta, 
Vero transfuderunt Regi animas. 
Ergo triumphant, laurel compti capita, 
Secuti rectd vestigia 
Agni singularis Christi sacrata, 
Cui assidue melliflua dant cantica, 



SEQUENCES. 133 

Chanting hymns of exultation, 

Blending skill with voices sweet, 
They before him lowly bowing, 

Christ the King submissive greet. 
Much the Spirits sing thy praises 

Virgin choirs rejoice in Thee, 
All the heavenly host upraises 

In harmonious jubilee 
Alleluia, Alleluia, 

To Thy spotless purity. 
Praise to Thee Who aidest ever 

All who so Thee glorify ; 
We to Christ with tuneful fervour 

Lift our Alleluias high : 
In that Kingdom fair and shining 

May we sing unceasingly. 



Sequence II. 

OD is much to be admired, 
In the Saints whom He inspired. 
Great and wondrous acts they wrought, 

Firmly 'gainst the world they fought. 

Judges' threatenings they o'ercame. 

Stripes could not their courage tame ; 

Vain each soft cajoling breath ; 

For their King they welcomed death. 




134 SEQUENCES 

Ejus pr8edulcis8im& pleni grati&. 
Quorum celebrantes solemnia 
Consortio jungi quo mereamur 
Christus annuat, Qui nostra est gloria. 




SEQUENCES. 135 

Therefore now they triumph high 
Laurel-crowned in victory : 
Following with duteous heed 
Where Christ's holy footsteps lead. 
To the Lamb, renowned Name, 
Hymns they pour with sweet acclaim : 
O may we who keep their day 
Join, through Him, their bright array ! 




136 SEQUENCES, 




DE QUINQUE VULNERIBUS 
D. N. J. CHRISTI. 

jCENAM cum discipulis, Christe, cele- 
br^sti, 
Et mortem Apostolis palam nunci^sti, 
Et auctorem sceleris Judam demonstr&sti, 
Et egressus protinus hortulum intr&sti. 
Tunc procidens Dominus humo Se prostravit 
Et transferri calicem ^ Se postulavit. 
Sed Patris arbitrio illud commendavit, 
Et ecce mox sanguinis sudor emanavit. 
Judas post hoc osculum ori dedit Christi, 
Ad quid, inquit Dominus, amice, venisti ? 
Nunquid trades osculo Quem jam vendidisti ? 
Assistentes protinus irruunt ministri. 
Nox insomnis itaque ilia ducebatur. 
Nulla prorsus requies Jesu prsestabatur. 
Maglstrorum impia plebs injuriatur, 
Alapis et colapbis innocens mactatur. 
Dum Jesum eripere Filatus conatur, 
Judseorum furia magis inflammatur. 
Et tumultus populi ingens excitatur, 
Et plebis vox intonat ut crucifigatur. 



SEQUENCES. 137 




THE FIVE WOUNDS OF CHRIST. 



fHOU, Christ, with Thy disciples, the Feast didst 
celebrate, 
Thy death to the Apostles didst openly relate ; 
And Judas, the arch-traitor, all-knowing didst foreshow. 
And forthwith thence departing didst to the garden go. 
Upon the earth then falling, the Lord did prostrate lie, 
And prayed that cup might from Him, if possible, pass by. 
Unto the Father's judgment He yet commended all. 
And lo! His sweat as blood-drups upon the ground did fall. 
To kiss that Face so sacred then Judas did presume, 
Whereat the Lord said gently, " Friend, wherefore art thcu 

come? 
Him thou hast sold already with a kiss dost thou betray ? " 
Forthwith the soldiers seized Him and led the Lord away. 
Jesus th rough those night hours in sleepless watch remained , 
Nor sympathy nor respite on any side obtained. 
By magistrates ungodly reviled and mocked He stands ; 
And innocent is buffeted and smitten by men's hands. 
While Jesus to deliver Pilate himself essayed. 
The madness of the people more fiercely is arrayed ; 
And crowds a mighty uproar stirred up on every side. 
In wrath their voices thundered, and**Crucify Him !" cried. 



138 SEQUENCES. 

Traditur militibus, vinculis arctatar, 
Undique verberibus corpus cruentatur ; 
Caput Regis gloriae spinis coronatur, 
Postquara (lexis geuibus k cunctis irritatur. 
Ecce caro tenera pii Salvatoris 
Ad columnam nequiter coarctatur loris. 
Sic fiagellis caeditur impii tortoris 
Quod emanant rivuli undique cruoris. 
Pi)st per urbis medium Jesus procedebat, 
Et crucis patibulum humeris ferebat : 
Ad fores, ad ostia, populus fluebat, 
Ejusque confusio omnibus patebat. 
Ad pudoris oumulum, Jesu, denudaris, 
Et ventis et frigori nudus spoliaris ; 
Innocens cum impiis in cruce damnaris 
Et quasi dux sceleris medio locaris. 
Tensls ligno brachiis manus conclavantur, 
Corporis membra singula poenis tractabantur. 
Nervi, vense, simili modo laniantur, 
Pedes, plantse, etiam ferro conclavantur. 
Loquens Jesus postea, '* sitio," dicebat, 
Et acetum protinus felle commiscebat, 
Ac infusum spongiae ori porrigebat, 
Quod degustans paululum sumere nolebat. 
O Jesu, mirific^ quid est quod agebas ? 
Tu de siti oonquerens de Cruce silebas ? 
Nunquid banc doloribus magis sentiebas ? 
Aut salutem potius nostram sitiebas ? 
Vocera promens ultimam Patrem invodisti, 
Spiritumque manibus Ejus commendasti, 



SEQUENCES. 139 

Captive and bound the Saviour away the soldiers bore, 
With cruel blows His Body they mangled then full sore ; 
Upon the King of Glory they set a thorny crown ; 
Then all, to do Him despite, with bended knees bowed down. 
The pitiful Redeemer, Who in tender flesh is found, 
With thongs is to the pillar iniquitously bound. 
The torturer's vile scourging He then doth undergo, 
His precious Blood in rivers on every side doth flow. 
Next Jesus through the city in slow procession came, 
Bearing upon His shoulder the Cross of bitter shame. 
Unto the gates of outlet streamed forth the populace, 
To all men was revealed His manifold disgrace. 
Indignity most crowning, of clothing all bereft, 
To winds and cold, Jesu, expos^'d Thou wert left ; 
The curse of sin, all sinless, Thou on the Cross didst bear 
And *midst the malefactors chief ignominy share. 
With outstretched arms His hands, lo ! are nailed to the tree ; 
Flesh, nerves, and veins, with iron are tortured piteously ; 
His feet and soles transfixed in like wise torn we see. 
Then, after these things speaking, " I thirst," the Saviour 

said; 
Forthwith one ran and vinegar with gall commingled, 
And on a sponge he put it unto His mouth with haste, 
And yet He would not drink it, but scarce thereof 

would taste. 
O Jesu, Wonder-worker, how dost Thou this explain? 
Thou of the Cross art silent, yet dost of thirst complain. 
Didst Thou feel thirst more keenly than all that bitter pain? 
Or rather, our Salvation didst Thou so thirst to gain ? 
Then, on the Father calling, of words Thou mad'stan end. 



I40 SEQUENCES. 

Cum clamore valido tandem exspirasti, 
Sic salutis omnium opus consumm^sti. 
Nunc ego superbio, Tu humiliaris ; 
Ego culpas perpetro, Tu poenl gravaris : 
Ego pomum mordeo, Tu felle pot&ris : 
Ego peto moUia, Tu dir^ tractaris. 
Demum cujus valeat mens vel lingua fari 
Virgo intus creditur quantum cruciari ? 
Dum cemit jam mortuum latus vulnerari, 
Atque Nati viscera lancet rimari ? 
Corpus ergo mortuum jam nil sentiebat, 
Militis sed lancea pectus infigebat, 
Quam fixam in Filii latere videbat, 
Unde aqua sanguine mixta effluebat. 
Fundunt rivos sanguinis fontes Salvatoris, 
Properans hue anima currat peccatoris, 
Et hauriat quispiam sacrati liquoris, 
Quo frequenter liniat vulnera doloris. 
Ad hunc ergo propera fontem Salvatoris, 
Ut fluentis impleas viscera dulcoris, 
Atque vitae lavacrum, pretium cruoris. 
Quo tui curatio profluat languoris. 




SEQUENCES. 141 

And to His holy keeping Thy Spirit didst commend ; 
At length, with loud voice crying, Thou gavest up the 

ghost, 
And srf Thy work didst finish— the saving of the lost. 
Now I, alas ! deal proudly ; Thou dost full lowly lie ; 
Mine are the foul transgressions ; Thine is the penalty ; 
I eat the fruit forbidden ; Thou drink 'st the cup of gall 5 
I seek mine ease and pleasure ; dread sorrows on Thee fall. 
What mind or tongue, moreover, of living men can tell 
The bitter pain and grief which the Virgin's heart befell, 
When she beheld them pierce His already lifeless side, 
And her Son's holy Body by a lance riven wide ? 
That lifeless Body, truly, no more the pang could feel, 
But her sad heart was pierced by the soldier's spear of steel, 
When standing by she saw it in her Son's side infixed, 
And forthwith thereout flowing came Blood and Water 

mixed. 
Rivers of Blood most precious the Savicmr's fountains give ; 
With speedy steps run hither, O sinner's soul, and live. 
Let all with thirsty longing that sacred draught drink in. 
That each may oft gain healing of all the wounds of sin. 
Unto that Saviour's fountain betake thee then with speed. 
That on the sweets thence flowing thy inmost soul may feed 5 
Purchased by that Blood's shedding, the Fount of Life 

we see; 
May healing for thy sickness thence flow eternally ! 




142 SEQUENCES. 




IN FESTO CORON-^ DOMINI. 

^I vis ver^ gloriari, 
Et k Deo coronari 
Honore et gloria ; 
Hanc Coronam venerari 
Studeas atque sectari 

Portantis vestigia. 
Hanc coelorum Rex portavit 
Honoravit et sacravit 

Sacro suo capite : 
In hac galea pugnavit 
Cum antiquum hostem stravit, 

Triumphans in stipite. 
Hsec pugnantis galea, 
Triumphantis laurea, 

Tyara pontificis : 
Primum fuit spinea, 
Post modum fit aurea 

Pactu sancti verticis. 
Spinarum aculeos 
Virtus fecit aureos 

Christi passionis, 
Qufe peccatis spineos 
Mortis seternse reos 

Adimplevit bonis. 



SEQUENCES. 143 




THE CROWN OF OUR LORD. 

(cardinal BON a VENTURA.) 

JOULDST thou boast thyself aright, 
And by God with glory bright 
In eminence be crowned ? 
Learn this Crown to venerate, 
And His course to imitate, 

Whose Brow it did surround. 
The King of Heaven wore this crown, 
And gave it honour and renown 

By His own sanctity ; 
In this casque He fought the fight, 
And put the ancient foe to flight, 

And triumphed on the Tree. 
A knightly helm in this we see. 
In this a palm of victory, 

The High Priest's mitre too : 
Though with thorns 'twas first arrayed. 
Hallowed by that sacred head 

It bare a golden hue. 
For the sharpness of the thorns 
By His passion Christ adorns 

With rays of golden light: 



144 SEQUENCES. 

De mails colligitur 
Et de spinis plectitur 

Spinea perversis ; 
Sed in aurum vertitur, 
Quando culpa tollitur 

Eisdem conversis. 
Jocunda mysteria 
Sunt haBc ; sed materia 

Prsesentis Isetitiae, 
Nobis est historia 
Qua patenter Francia 

Coronatur hodie. 
Hujus coronatio, 
Coronce' susceptio, 

Cujus festum agimus : 
Debito cum gaudio 
Et annlversario 

Honore recolimus. 
Thesauro tam nobili 
Tarn desiderabili 

Dives es efTecta, 
Terra carens simili, 



I The tradition is, that St. Lonis received the Crown of 
Thorns from the Emperor of Constantinople, and deposited it 
in Notre Dame at Paris, erecting for its re'^eption the Saints 
Chapelle. In the Revolution all was lost bat two Thorns, 
which are said to be still preserved, together with a portion 
of the Holy Oil, said to have been brought in the Sainte 
Ampoule to the Baptistery at Rheims by a white dove, at the 



SEQUENCES. 145 

Souls beset with thorns of sin, 
Hopeless ever life to win, 

Find blessings infinite. 
For the sinner thorns arise ; 
Of his own iniquities 

A thorny crown is twined : 
But the thorns are changed to gold, 
When he turns and seeks the fold, 

That he may mercy find. 
These are right mysterious joys : 
But the matter that employs 

Our gratulations now, 
Is the tale which doth convey 
Signal fame to^ France to-day 

To decorate her brow. 
To her care the Holy Crown 
Is entrusted as her own, 

Whereof we keep the day ; 
All the honour that is due, 
With devotion yearly new. 

Unto this feast we pay. 
Holding such a priceless treasure, 



baptism of Clovis. The Ampoule itself was destroyed in 
1793, but some fragments imbued with the holy oil, were care- 
fully collected and placed in a vial, where, some essence being 
added to them, they were preserved, and the fluid used to 
anoint Charles X. Reference is made to this holy oil in this 
Sequence. These six stanzas are evidently interpolated, suid 
give proof of the Gallican origin of the Sarnm Missal. 

L 



146 SEQUENCES. 

Carens comparabili, 

Deo praedilecta. 
Tria privilegia 
Begna tibi alia 

Subdant in honore, 
Fides et Militia, 
Unctioque regia, 

Quarum fiores flore. 
Tibi, O urbs inclyta, 
Omni laude prsedita, 

Mater studiorum, 
Est corona tradita 
Et in te reposita, 

Urbs Parisiorum. 
In Dei preconium 
Totum confer studium, 

Totum cor appone ; 
Quae Cbristi palladium 
Et sacrse sacrarium 

Facta es Coronae. 
Jesu pie, Jesu bone, 
Nostro nobis in agone 

Largire victoriam ; 
Mores nostros sic compone 
Ut perpetuse coronse 

Mereamur gloriam. Amen. 




SEQUENCES. j^y 

To be longed for above measure. 

Thou art enriched indeed ; 
Happy land beyond compare, 
To the Lord exceeding dear, 

Unequalled is thy meed. 
Other realms to thee concede 
Three distinctions that exceed 

The honours they can claim : 
Faith unfeigned, Valour great, 
Oil thy kings to consecrate ; 

So flourisheth thy fame. 
City of illustrious name. 
Brilliant in thy peerless fame, 

Mother to Science dear ; 
Paris, the pride of Gallic race, 
In thee the Crown hath found a place 

Which faithful men revere. 
God's Holy Name to magnify 
Thy utmost energies apply. 

This for thy duty own ; 
Palladium of Christ divine. 
Selected for the sacred shrine 

Of that most holy Crown. 
O Jesu gentle, Jesu mild. 
To us when pressed in conflict wild 

Grant victory over sin : 
So deign our lives to rule and guide, 
That we who in Thy aid confide 
An endless Crown may win. Amen, 



,48 SEQUEJ^CES. 



FERIA IV. POST VISITATIONEM 
B. V. M. 



'^"-ffi:TABUNDUS exuliet fidelis chorus 




Alleluia. 
Regem regum Intactse profiindit torus, 

Kes miranda. 
Angelus consilii natus est de Yirgine, 

Sol de Stella. 
Sol occasum nesciens, Stella semper rutilans, 

Semper clara. 
Sicut sydus radium, prufert Virgo Filium, 

Pari form&. 
Neque sydus radio, neque Mater Filio 

Fit corrupta. 
Cedrus alta Libani conformatur Hysopo» 

Valle nostra. 
Yerbum ens Altissimi corporal! passum est 

Came sumpt&. 
Esaias cecinit, synagoga meminit, nunquam tamen 
desinit 

Esse caeca. 
Si non suis vatibus, credat vel gentilibus Sybellinis 
versibus 



SEQUENCES. 149 




FOURTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF 
THE VISITATION OF B. V. M. 

(ST. BBBKABD.) 

|0W let the faithful choir with joy 

exulting sing 

Alleluia. 

The Spotless forth doth bring of mighty kings the 

King, 

O wonder rare ; 

The heaven-descended Counsellor bom of a Virgin 

doth appear, 

Sun of a Star. 

A Sun that doth no setting know, a Star whose 

rays do ever glow, 

Gleaming afar. 

As a star puts forth its ray, so the Virgin in like 

way 

Her Son doth bear. 

Bright the star doth still endure, so the Virgin 

still is pure, 

No stain is there. 

Of Lebanon the Cedar tall is with the Hyssop on 

the wall 

Made lowly here. 



150 



SEQUENCES. 



Hsec praedicta. 
Infelix propera, crede vel vetera, cur damnaberis 

Grens misera ? 
Quern docet litera Natum considera, Ipsum genuit 

Puerpera. 




SEQUENCES, 151 

The self-existent Word on high tofjk on Him flesh 
and bodily 

His Passion bare. 
Esaias this foretold, the synagogue of old 
Knew this, yet fast doth hold 

Its blindness drear. 
To what their bards rehearse, by heathen Sibyl's verse 
Confirmed, let hearts averse 

At length give ear. 
No longer then delay, unhappy nation say, 
Wherefore be cast away ? 

E*en legends hear. 
No more the Scripture scorn, think on the Child new-born. 
Whom for this world forlorn. 

The Virgin bare. 




J52 



SEQUENCES. 



OFFICIUM BEATiE MARI^. 




;iSSUS Gabriel de coelis 
Verbi bajulus fidelis 
Sacris disserit loquelis 

Cum beatft Virgine. 
Verbum bonum et suave 
Pandit intus in conclave 
Et ex Ev& formans Ave 

Evse verso nomine. 
Consequenter juxta pactum 
Adest Verbum caro factum ; 
Semper tamen est intactum 

FueUare gremium. 
Patrem pariens ignorat, 
Et Quam homo non deflorat 
Non torquetur nee laborat 

Quando parit Filium. 
Signum audis novitatis, 
Crede solum et est satis, 
Non est tuse facultatis 

Solvere corrigiam. 
Grande signum et insigne 
Est in rubo et in igne, 



SEQUENCES. 153 




OFFICE OF B. V. MARY. 

(adam de s. victor, written for the 
annunciation.) 

[ROM heaven Gabriel was sent, 
The Word's envoy intelligent. 
To speak in accents reverent 

With Mary, blessed maid. 
An excellent and kindly word 
Is in that lowly chamber heard ; 
Eva the angel doth discard 

And Ave saith instead. 
The fulness of the time is come, 
Forthwith the Word doth flesh assume, 
Yet to that holy Virgin's womb 

Is no dishonour done : 
She bears who doth no husband know. 
No pains of travail or of woe 
Doth the unsullied maiden show 

When she brings forth a Son. 
New is the thing, and strange to sec ; 
Believe, it is enough for thee. 
For such as thou it may not be 

T*unbind her sandal's tie ; 



154 SEQUENCES. 

Ne appropiet indignd 

Calceatus quispiam. 
Virga sicca sine rore 
Novo ritu. novo more, 
Fructum protulit cum floro ; 

Sic et Virgo peperit. 
Benedictus talis fructus, 
Fructus gaudii non luctus, 
Non erat Adam seductus 

Si de hoc gustaverit 
Jesus noster, Jesus bonus, 
Pise Matris pium onus, 
Cujus est in coelo thronus, 

Nascitur in stabulo. 
Qui sic est pro nobis natus 
Nostros deleat reatus, 
Quia noster incolatus 

Hie est in periculo. 




SEQUENCES, 155 

A sign beyond thy power to know 
The unconsumed Bush doth show, 
Lest any with unloosened shoe 

Dare rashly to draw nigh. 
The sapless Rod, devoid of dew, 
By a new rite, and manner new, 
Decked both with flower and fruit we view 

So did the Virgin bear. 
Bight blessed is such fruit, I trow, — 
Fruit of rejoicing, not of woe j 
Adam had triumphed o'er his foe. 

If such had been his fare. 
Jesus our Saviour, Lord alone, 
A holy Mother's holy Son, 
Who hath in highest Heaven His Throno, 

Is in a stable laid. 
May He Who came in such a guise 
Blot out all our iniquities. 
Seeing our earthly sojourn lies 

In perils sore bested. 




156 SEQUENCES. 




OFFICIUM BEAT^ MARI^. 
Seq. II. 

ITTIT ad Virginem 
Non quemvis Angelum 
Sed fortitudinem 
Suam, Archangelum, 

Amator hominis. 
Fortem expediat 
Pro nobis nuncinm. 
Naturae faciat 
Ut prejudicium, 

In partu Virginis. 
Naturam superat 
Natus Rex glorise, 
Regnat et imperat 
Et zyma scoriae 

Tollit de medio. 
Superbientium 
Terit fastigia, 
Colla sublimium 
Calcans vi propria, 

Potens in prselio. 
Foras ejiciat 
Mundanum principera 



SEQUENCES, 157 




OFFICE OF B. V. MARY. 

(Peter Abelabd). 

|0 one lower in grade 
To the Virgin is sent, 
But an Archangel dread, 
Mighty Gabriel, went 

On that message of love. 
Such a herald renowned 
Might such message explain, 
And the new grace expound, 
Nor a forecast disdain 

Of her child-birth to prove. 
For the glorious King 
Nature's order and laws 
In subjection doth bring. 
The old leaven and dross 

Casting out in His might. 
The high looks of the proud 
To confusion He turns, ., 
And the arrogant crowd 
Underneath Him He spurns, 

As one valiant in fight. 
The world's prince in his pride 
Let Him cast foi th in shame, 



158 SEQUENCES. 

Sponsamqiie faciat 
Secum participem 

Patris imperii. 
Exi qui mitteris, 
HsBC dona dissere, 
Reyela veteris 
Velamen litersB 

Virtute nuncii. 
Accede, nuncia, 
Die, Ave, cominus. 
Die, Plena gratia, 
Die, Tecum Dominus, 

Et die, Ne timeas. 
Virgo suseipias 
Dei depositum, 
In quo perficias 
Casta propositum 

£t votum teneas. 
Audit et suscipit 
Fuel la nuncium, 
Credit et concipit 
Et parit Filium, 

Sed admirabilem 
Consiliarium 
Humani generis, 
Et Deum fortium 
Et Patrem posteris 

In pace stabilem, 



SEQUENCES. 159 

And give part to His Bride 
Of the kingdom and fame 

Of His Father on high. 
On thine embassage go 
These great gifts to narrate, 
Back the curtain to throw 
From the mystery great, 

Which in Scripture doth lie. 
With thy message draw nigh, 
Say " Hail /" reverently ; 
" Full of grace from on high 
Lo ! the Lord is tcith thee, 

Fear noU thou blessed one. 
Do thou, Virgin, comply 
With what God doth reveal, 
So thy vowed chastity 
Shall keep sacred its seal, 

Yet His will shall be done." 
The chaste maiden believes 
When the word she doth hear, 
And forthwith she conceives. 
And a Son she doth bear ; 

Him of Wonderful Name ; 
Him the CounseUor grave. 
All the world for to guide ; 
God, the mighty to save ; 
Father, aye to abide 

In peace ever the same. 



CHISWICK press: — WHITTIKGHAM AUD WILKI>S, 
TOOKS COURT, CHAKCERY LAKE. 



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